Prof. dr. Henk Kummeling

Bestuursgebouw
Heidelberglaan 8
Kamer -
3584 CS Utrecht

Prof. dr. Henk Kummeling

Rector Magnificus
The Executive Board
h.kummeling@uu.nl

“The university is the place where you can research and teach everything an intelligent brain can come up with, AND then bring it under discussion.”

Research focus: connection between university and society, constitutional law

Henk Kummeling (1961) has been Rector Magnificus of Utrecht University since 1 June 2018. He studied law in Nijmegen and obtained his doctorate there in 1988. This was followed by an appointment as a Professor of Constitutionaland Administrative Law at Tilburg University. Henk Kummeling has been a Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law at Utrecht University since 1995. Between 2008 and 2014, he was Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics, Governance and Organisation (LEG). He was also President of the Dutch Electoral Council from 2005 to 2017.


In 2015, the Executive Board appointed him as a distinguished professor. This appointment is a recognition of his great scientific track record. Education and research form the connecting thread in his career, which he has pursued both within and outside the academic world.

Passion for education

His passion for education returns in various positions: for example, he was chairman of the committee that introduced the new 'Utrecht educational model' between 2002 and 2006. He also taught in China, Indonesia, the UK, the USA, Suriname and South Africa. Law students in both Utrecht and Tilburg have named him 'Teacher of the Year' several times.

Focus on connection

More interdisciplinarity in research and education, internationalisation, small-scale and intensive education and further social anchoring of the university are important points of attention for Henk Kummeling. In his capacity as Rector Magnificus, he argues for strategic choices that make UU a university “with a head AND with a heart”.

Fields of interest:

  • Constitutional and Administrative Law Institutions for Open Societies
  • Education innovation
  • Interdisciplinary education and research
  • Internationalisation
  • Academic leadership
  • Public engagement



Photographer profile picture: Arnaud Mooij