Henk Kummeling appointed distinguished professor of Utrecht University

Prof. Henk Kummeling has been appointed distinguished professor of Utrecht University with effect from 1 April 2015. Kummeling is a leading scholar of constitutional law and comparative constitutional law. As a distinguished professor, he will be joining a select group of top international scholars and scientists at Utrecht University whose work and standing transcend disciplinary boundaries.

In the years ahead, Henk Kummeling's research will focus primarily on how institutions are formed and preserved, in particular in new democratic constitutional states, and what role international organisations such as the UN, IMF and World Bank play in these processes. He will also continue his teaching and research activities and remain closely involved with the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance.

Henk Kummeling (1961) obtained his PhD in 1988, writing his thesis on a comparative study of public law advisement. In his inaugural lecture at Utrecht University in 1997 he considered the issue of the relativity of confidentiality obligations. He has also published on a wide range of topics, including fundamental rights, the safeguarding of legal rights in the European Union, access to public information, supervision, financial supervision, independent administrative bodies, the right to vote, political constitutional law, the devolution of government and international law. Kummeling also regularly teaches courses on this topics, both in Utrecht and in China, Indonesia, the United States and South Africa.

Kummeling has been professor of Constitutional Law and Comparative Constitutional Law at Utrecht University's Institute of Constitutional, Administrative Law and Legal Theory since 1 September 1995. From 2008 until 2014 he also served as dean of Utrecht's Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance. At present he is chair of the national Electoral Council, chair of the General Administrative Law Act objections committee (part of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) and professor at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa.

Institutions

Utrecht University has clustered its research into four interdisciplinary strategic themes, one of which is the theme Institutions. This theme brings together sociologists, jurists, economists, philosophers, historians and other specialists to explore the manner in which societies derive their strength from the quality of their rules on human interaction, as embodied in institutions. These can be formal rules, such as laws, but also informal rules, such as standards, values, customs and the associated networks and organisations. They enable or constrain an open, democratic and equal society.

Distinguished university professors

Distinguished university professors have a proven track record of innovative research and teaching and are given full scope to pursue these interests. They also play a defining role in academic and social discussions. Utrecht University currently has the following distinguished university professors:
 Prof. dr. Sierd Cloetingh (2014)
 Prof. dr. Frans de Waal (2013)
 Prof. dr. Gerard ’t Hooft (2011)
 Prof. dr. Rosi Braidotti (2011)
 Prof. dr. Rick Grobbee (2010)
 Prof. dr. Elsken van der Wall (2005)
 Prof. dr. Gerard van Koten, honorary (2004)
 Prof. dr. Peter van der Veer (2004)
 Prof. dr. Herman Philipse (2003)
 Prof. dr. Paul Schnabel (2002)
 Prof. dr. Frits van Oostrom (2001)