Inaugural lecture Henk den Uijl

Venue: Pieterskerk, Pieterskerkhof 3, Utrecht
Contact: pedel@uvh.nl

On 16 October 2026 at 3.30 pm sharp, Prof. Dr Henk den Uijl, Professor by Special Appointment of Philosophy of Governance and Policy at the University of Humanistic Studies, will deliver his inaugural lecture at the Pieterskerk in Utrecht.

To take the Leap

Tragedy and responsibility in governance and policy

The scale and intensity of political and administrative crises seem to be having an increasingly paralysing effect. It is becoming increasingly clear to every administrator that our times are out of kilter. In his inaugural lecture Prof. Dr Henk den Uijl – also co-dean, lecturer and researcher at the Netherlands School of Public Administration (NSOB) – examines how it is still possible to bear administrative responsibility, despite the seemingly intractable questions faced by administrators and policymakers.

Every administrator longs to ‘escape bureaucracy’ and ‘stop risk-averse behaviour’, and every policymaker wants to ‘get back to the original intention’. Administrators talk a great deal about values, virtues, the human dimension, showing courage and fostering dissent. And there is a great deal of reflection, or at least, that is the imperative. But is that reflection not detached from the everyday reality of citizens and professionals? What does that reflection actually achieve? And is reflection enough, or is something else needed? To ask the question is to answer it.

In his inaugural lecture, Den Uijl explores the conditions for linking reflection and action, for assuming moral responsibility, whilst at the same time acknowledging the uncertainty inherent in all administrative action. Navigating between contemporary issues and classical tragedy, Den Uijl addresses the question of when it is necessary for administrators or civil servants to put themselves on the line, to take a genuine risk – to take the plunge – with a view to achieving a desired outcome.

The lecture will be held in Dutch. Signing up is possible on our Dutch website.

See also: Henk den Uijl is the new endowed Professor of Philosophy of Governance and Policy