Prof. dr. Rianne Letschert (1976) studied International Law at Tilburg University, the University of Amsterdam and the University of Montpellier. She earned her PhD at Tilburg University with a thesis titled ‘The impact of minority rights mechanisms’ (2005), on the role competing international organisations play in making policy and law on national minorities.
Rianne has always dedicated a lot of time to translating scientific knowledge into societal impact. For example, she was an expert consultant on behalf of the victims at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, she gave several public lectures and her extracurricular positions are related to socially relevant themes.
On 1 September 2016, Professor Rianne Letschert was appointed rector magnificus of Maastricht University. One of her main tasks as the administrative leader of a national programme by the VSNU was to implement the position paper ‘Room for Everyone’s Talent’ , not only in Maastricht but in the entire sector.
As of 1 November 2021, she has been appointed as President of Maastricht University.