Dave De Ruysscher

Dave De Ruysscher is a Professor at the Faculty of Law and Criminology of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). His research focuses on the history of commercial and private law, with particular expertise in early modern and 19th-century legal frameworks, including maritime trade, bankruptcy, and corporate law. He holds a MA, LLM, and PhD in law.

Education:

• MA in Law
• LLM in Legal Studies
• PhD in Legal History

Research Interests:
De Ruysscher explores how legal systems adapted to economic shifts, analyzing case studies such as Antwerp’s commercial courts (1880–1914) and Belgium’s construction sector (1890–1940). He emphasizes the agency of cities in shaping legal norms, especially in financial crises.

Prizes & Awards:

• ERC Starting Grant (2016)
• Prix Charles Duvivier (2013)
• Prix de Stassart (2022)

Grants & Projects:
He leads the FWO-funded projects 'Cities as Breeding Grounds' (2025–2028) and 'Pre-Insolvency Restructurings for SMEs' (2019–2022). His work bridges legal history with modern regulatory challenges.

Labs & Teams:
Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like 'What History Can Do for Construction History' (2022–2025).