Rob Faesen

Prof. Rob Faesen is a part-time Professor at KU Leuven (Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies) and part-time Associate Professor at the University of Antwerpen (Ruusbroecgenootschap, Arts Faculty). His primary affiliation is with Tilburg University's Tilburg School of Catholic Theology, Department of Texts in Contexts. He specializes in medieval Christian mysticism, particularly John of Ruusbroec and Middle Dutch mysticism. Faesen co-edited the critical edition of John of Ruusbroec's works and contributes to journals like Ons Geestelijk Erf, Revue d'histoire ecclésiastique, and Medieval Mystical Theology. His research focuses on mystical literature, theological symbolism, and the interplay between action and contemplation in medieval spirituality.

Recent research highlights include analyzing Hadewijch's use of food symbolism, Ruusbroec's theological framework, and 17th-century religious emblem books. Faesen regularly presents at academic conferences, examining topics like Bernard of Clairvaux's influence on Dutch mysticism and the relationship between Jansenism and mysticism.

He has examined multiple PhD defenses, including studies on Denys the Carthusian's writings and Libertus Fromundus's commentary on the Song of Songs. His editorial work emphasizes preserving and interpreting medieval religious texts across European contexts.