Professor Paul Schnabel was from 1998 – 2013 general director of the Netherlands Institute for Social Research/SCP and advisor to the Dutch cabinet. Earlier appointments include dean of the Netherlands School of Public Health and research director of the Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction. In 1986 he was appointed professor of clinical psychology and mental health at Utrecht University and in 2002 distinguished professor. At present his scientific interest focuses on welfare state issues in the Netherlands and Europe (social security, health, education, labour relations), modern conservatism in politics and social and cultural history of the Netherlands.