A Tribute to Ed Deci

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Prof. Dr. Edward Deci on Valentine’s Day. Ed was an inspiring leader in the field of motivational psychology and, together with Prof. Dr. Richard Ryan, the co-founder of Self-Determination Theory. This highly empirically supported theory is grounded in a growth-oriented view of human nature and examines the processes that enable people to fully flourish.

Edward Deci spent his entire career at the University of Rochester. He had been a member of the Department of Psychology since the 1970s and retired in 2017. He conducted groundbreaking work on the process of intrinsic motivation and the role of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence therein. In the 1980s, Richard Ryan joined him, and together they carried out years of innovative and inspiring research on themes such as high-quality motivation, mindfulness, intrinsic values, and the need-supportive role of teachers, parents, and leaders. Ed was the (co-)author of several influential books that have had a major impact on the field, including Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior (1985), Why We Do What We Do (1991), and Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness (2017).

I first met Ed personally when I spent a year in Rochester in 1999–2000, during the final year of my psychology studies at KU Leuven. I vividly remember how, after a busy day, I could always stop by his office (around 6 p.m.) with my (many) questions, which he answered patiently, thoughtfully, and with humor. He introduced me to the fascinating world of motivational psychology and served as my doctoral advisor from 2001 to 2005, together with the late Willy Lens and Hans De Witte. Together, we wrote several chapters and empirical contributions, during which he taught me the craft of (re)writing. For instance, we co-authored a paper on the role of Self-Determination Theory within positive psychology, titled “Self-Determination Theory and Basic Need Satisfaction: Understanding Human Development in Positive Psychology” (Deci & Vansteenkiste, 2004).

Over the years, we became friends, and he was always genuinely interested in how our children were doing and what was happening in my personal life. Whenever he was in Europe, I would meet up with him to spend a few days together in cities such as Milan or Paris. A few days before his passing, I was still able to see him briefly, which meant a great deal to me. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones and dozens of paintings. Ed had a deep passion for art and served for many years as director and curator of a museum on Monhegan Island. Each summer, he would return there; the island and its museum are a well-known destination for artists and art enthusiasts.

The positive impact of Self-Determination Theory in the Netherlands and Flanders—on academia, the positive psychology movement, and professional practice—cannot be overstated. Many continue to contribute to the development and application of the theory. Across numerous life domains, such as education, parenting, sport, work, and healthcare, its insights and findings serve as a guiding framework for fostering more motivating environments. Ed also wrote the foreword to our book Vitamins for Growth (Vansteenkiste & Soenens, 2015), a comprehensive volume discussing the core principles of Self-Determination Theory. In a more recent book, The ABC of Motivation in Education (Vansteenkiste & Soenens, 2025), we further elaborate on the process of intrinsic motivation and how teachers can enhance students’ interest and engagement.

The Self-Determination Theory community will deeply miss his leadership, precision, and dedication as we continue to develop the theory and carry forward our shared mission. Ed had a remarkable ability to articulate ideas with clarity and precision, and he mentored many students with great care and commitment. At the same time, many of us are determined to honor his legacy, as his research, contributions, and mentorship have not only shaped our professional lives but have also deeply inspired us on a personal level.