Evelien Tonkens (1961), sociologist, is distinguished research professor of Citizenship and Humanization of the Public Sector at the University of Humanistic Studies in Utrecht, The Netherlands since 2014. She was also Academic director of the Graduate School of the UHS and Director of Research of the UHS between 2019 and 2023. Her research focuses on changing ideals and practices of citizenship against the background of welfare state reform, democracy, meritocracy and globalization. She is takes part in the European research project Solidarity in diversity with 9 other universities, focusing on the promotion of bridging solidarities in Europe (https://www.solidi.eu/). Between 2005 and 2014, Tonkens was professor of Active Citizenship at the University of Amsterdam. Before 2005, she was a researcher at various research institutes and a Member of the Dutch Parliament for the Green Left. She published numerous articles and books, see www.evelientonkens.nl