Bert van den Brink

Bert van den Brink is a Professor of Political and Social Philosophy at Utrecht University, where he also serves as Vice-Dean of BA-programmes in the Faculty of Humanities. He is affiliated with the Ethics Institute within the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. Additionally, he directs Charm EU, an innovative European university collaboration focused on sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary educational approaches.

Professor van den Brink's research centers on practical philosophy, particularly examining the moral foundations of liberal thought and the relationship between civil conflict, democratic virtue, and societal stability. His work explores political and social philosophy through the lens of Institutions for Open Societies (IOS). He has made significant contributions to recognition theory, building on Axel Honneth's work, and has examined topics including pluralism, toleration, and civic virtue. His scholarship often bridges theoretical political philosophy with empirical social realities, as evidenced by his recent work on justice claims and empirical research.

Van den Brink's scholarly trajectory shows a clear evolution from theoretical political philosophy toward increasingly interdisciplinary and empirically grounded work. While maintaining strong roots in continental philosophy and critical theory (particularly through his work on Adorno and recognition theory), his recent publications demonstrate growing engagement with practical applications of political philosophy in real-world contexts. His work spans traditional philosophical inquiry, democratic theory, and innovative explorations of how visual media like photography intersect with social philosophy.

• Editorial board member, Constellations (2009-2015)
• Editorial board member, Contemporary Political Theory (2009-2015)
• Editorial board member, Ethical Perspectives (2011-2015)
• Member, International Advisory Board of Leuven Center for Global Governance Studies
• Member, Board of Advisors of ECOLAS, Consortium of European Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences

As an academic mentor, Professor van den Brink has supervised doctoral research, including work on "Arranged marriages of British-Pakistani women – a human rights dimension." He is actively involved in academic service through editorial roles and advisory positions. His leadership extends to directing Charm EU, which represents a significant institutional commitment to innovative educational approaches across European universities. His work demonstrates consistent engagement with both theoretical political philosophy and its practical applications in contemporary society.