Thursday 23 April 2026 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Michaelhouse (St Michael’s Church)
Trinity Street Cambridge CB2 1SUWhat holds a society together? Prof Wim Voermans explores the stories behind constitutions—the founding documents that define who “we” are as a people—and what they reveal about identity, belonging, and political community.
About
Today, 189 out of 193 officially recognised nation-states have a written constitution. 75% of these have been ratified since 1975. How did this worldwide diffusion of constitutions come about?
In this public lecture, Prof Wim Voermans discusses how human evolution, human nature, and the history of thought have all played their part in shaping modern Constitutions.
About the speaker
Wim Voermans is Professor of Constitutional Law at Leiden University. His research focuses on comparative constitutional law, the evolution of human groups into political societies and the genesis of constitutions, legitimacy and storytelling. Voermans has written widely on subjects related to constitutional law, including European Law, Administrative Law (and the dynamics of the Administrative State) and legislative issues. His last four books have become bestsellers in the Netherlands, selling thousands of copies over the last three years.
Practicalities
This event is co-hosted by the University Church, The Faculty of Divinity, and Dr Marietta van der Tol (Landecker Lecturer)
Capacity is limited but registration is free, so head to Eventbrite.com to sign up using the button above.