Rinus Penninx has been professor of ethnic studies at the University of Amsterdam since 1993 where he founded the Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies (IMES). From 1999-2009, he was European co-chair of International Metropolis. In 2004, he coordinated the Network of Excellence IMISCOE (International Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion in Europe). In 2009 he founded its independent follow up: the IMISCOE Research Network, for which he continues to work. Most of his present research work is on immigrant organisations, on migration and integration policies at the EU level and on local integration policies.