Find Academic Supervisors

• Labour Law
• Sports Law
• EU Labour Law
• +7 more

Frank Hendrickx is a Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Law and Criminology, where he serves as Head of the Institute for Labour Law and Chair of the Research Unit Labour and Social Security Law. He holds dual membership in the KU Leuven Digital Society Institute (DigiSoc) and the KU Leuven Institute of Sports Science (LISS), reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. His administrative roles include Vice-Chair of the Disciplinary Appeals Body and membership on the Faculty Council of Law and Criminology. Hendrickx's research examines the evolving relationship between work and law in contemporary society, with particular expertise in labour law, sports law, and digital work regulation. His work investigates how traditional legal frameworks can adapt to emerging challenges in platform work, sports governance, and workplace technology. He has developed specialized knowledge in the legal dimensions of sports integrity, particularly regarding football governance and match-fixing, while maintaining a strong foundation in European labour law principles. His publication record shows a clear trajectory toward addressing the legal challenges of digital transformation in work environments, with increasing focus on platform work regulation, algorithmic management, and workplace privacy. The integration of sports law with labour law represents another distinctive thread in his scholarship, examining how traditional employment principles apply to professional athletes and sports organizations. Hendrickx actively supervises doctoral candidates, with recent theses examining football integrity, smart mobility in European labor markets, and workplace automation. His current research portfolio includes multiple major projects funded through KU Leuven, addressing occupational safety in high-performance sport, judicial intervention in the right to strike, and protections for minors in the football labor market.

Geraldin NanfackView profile

Researcher

• Decision Tree Analysis
• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• +5 more

Geraldin Nanfack is a researcher specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning, with a focus on decision trees, explainability, and fairness constraints. His work bridges algorithmic design with ethical considerations in AI systems. Key Research Areas: Decision tree analysis, constraint enforcement, explainable AI, fairness in machine learning, and domain-knowledge integration. Notable Projects: Contributed to the VeriLearn project (2018-2022), aimed at verifying AI systems, and authored foundational surveys on constraint enforcement in decision trees. Publications: His recent work includes studies on fairness in decision trees, explainability evaluation for computer vision, and the evolution of decision trees toward responsible AI frameworks.

• Media Regulation
• Digital Platforms
• European Union Policy
• +2 more

Nino Domazetovikj is a Researcher at the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences and Solvay Business School at Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Belgium. His research focuses on digital media regulation, platform governance, and EU policy frameworks.

• Biomedical MRI
• Preclinical Imaging
• Fungal Pathogenesis
• +5 more

Greetje Vande Velde is a Senior Lecturer at KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine, Department of Imaging & Pathology, leading the Biomedical MRI unit. She holds cross-institute appointments at the KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven One Health, Leuven.AI, and KU Leuven Cancer Institute, reflecting her interdisciplinary focus on pulmonary infections and imaging technologies. Her research centers on host-pathogen dynamics in fungal diseases using advanced imaging (micro-CT/MRI) and preclinical models (mice, zebrafish, Galleria mellonella). Key areas include influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis, Cryptococcus pathogenesis, and triazole resistance mechanisms. She pioneers non-invasive longitudinal monitoring of disease progression and develops nanovesicular therapies for pulmonary infections, with emphasis on host-directed immunomodulation strategies. Analysis of her 2025 publications reveals strong integration of imaging science with infectious disease biology, particularly in quantifying lung pathology, modeling viral-fungal coinfections, and evaluating antifungal efficacy. Her work bridges microbiology, immunology, and engineering to address clinical challenges in invasive fungal diseases. Dr. Vande Velde currently leads 10 major research projects (2023-2030) as promotor/co-promotor, including NIH-funded studies on influenza-associated aspergillosis immunotherapy and nanovesicular therapies. These projects leverage KU Leuven's imaging infrastructure for preclinical validation of novel diagnostics and therapeutics, with significant focus on translational applications. She directs the Biomedical MRI unit's experimental facilities, utilizing high-resolution micro-CT for longitudinal assessment of pulmonary infections and therapy response. Her team collaborates extensively across KU Leuven's institutes to develop integrated approaches for fungal disease management, including AI-enhanced image analysis and cross-kingdom pathogen studies.

• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Fraud Detection
• +7 more

Bart Baesens is a full professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Information Systems Engineering Research Group (LIRIS). He is a member of Leuven.AI, the university's artificial intelligence institute, and leads the education commission for the Master in Information Management program at FEB. His research focuses on machine learning, fraud detection, credit risk, network analytics, and explainable AI, with applications in finance, insurance, agriculture, and smart systems. Baesens is known for developing frameworks like IML4DQ and GARG-AML, and has contributed to foundational work in sensor data analysis and graph-based learning for AML systems. His recent research emphasizes practical applications of AI, such as improving museum archive accessibility via large language models and enhancing agricultural sustainability through precision irrigation systems. He collaborates with industry partners on projects like predictive maintenance optimization and customer lifetime value modeling, leveraging techniques like temporal fusion transformers and self-supervised anomaly detection. Baesens' work bridges academia and industry, with publications addressing ethical AI, model interpretability, and real-world fraud detection challenges. His contributions span over 150 peer-reviewed articles, including influential studies on credit scoring, social network analytics for insurance fraud, and multi-task learning for environmental monitoring.

• Process Mining
• Artificial Intelligence
• Predictive Analytics
• +7 more

Johannes De Smedt is an Assistant Professor (tenure track) at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Information Systems Engineering Research Group (LIRIS). He leads the education commission for the OC Handelsingenieur in de beleidsinformatica program at the FEB's Leuven campus and is a member of Leuven.AI, the university's artificial intelligence institute. His work focuses on advancing process mining, AI-driven decision support systems, and data-aware business process optimization. Research interests include predictive process monitoring, adversarial machine learning for process analytics, object-centric event log analysis, and human resource analytics through process mining. He explores applications in employee mobility, bankruptcy prediction, and explainable AI for business processes. Notable contributions include developing methodologies for synthetic time series generation, adversarial robustness in process models, and integrating decision models with business process frameworks. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementation in domains like healthcare, education, and finance. Recent publications emphasize trustworthy AI practices and scalable data preparation techniques for complex process data. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided information. Advising and grants sections remain unpopulated in the available data. His research is anchored in the LIRIS group, collaborating on projects like MERODE for data-aware process systems and the iDOCEM framework for object-centric event logging standards.

• Air Quality
• Environmental Monitoring
• Sensor Networks
• +4 more

Esther Rodrigo Bonet is a postdoctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel , affiliated with the Department of Electronics and Informatics in the College of Engineering. Her work focuses on air pollution modeling, sensor networks, and explainable AI, combining deep learning with physics-guided frameworks to analyze environmental data. Research Interests: Esther specializes in air quality monitoring, leveraging graph neural networks and variational autoencoders to model spatiotemporal pollution patterns. Her research integrates explainable AI principles to enhance transparency in environmental inference systems, particularly for low-cost sensor networks and urban exposure assessments. Scientific Awards: Best Student Paper Award (2024) FWO PhD Strategic Basic Research Fellowship (Nov 2020) Research Output Trends: Over the past five years, her work has emphasized AI-driven environmental monitoring, with a focus on graph-based deep learning architectures. Key applications include urban air quality mapping, electromagnetic field exposure analysis, and collaborative filtering systems adapted for environmental data. Collaborations: She collaborates extensively with Professor Nikolaos Deligiannis and multidisciplinary teams across Belgium, contributing to projects like Explainable Physics-guided Deep Learning for Air Pollution Inference and the development of frameworks for IoT cities.

• Data Privacy
• Algorithmic Transparency
• AI Ethics
• +5 more

Ana Pop Stefanija is a postdoctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel within the Studies in Media, Innovation and Technology program, specializing in Communication Sciences. Her work focuses on the ethical and societal implications of AI, data governance, and algorithmic systems. She holds a PhD in Media Studies (2024) and has conducted extensive research on data privacy, algorithmic fairness, and digital sovereignty. Her academic contributions include groundbreaking studies on AI co-creation frameworks, reflexive algorithm design, and the intersection of technology with human agency. She has authored 18 peer-reviewed publications, including a doctoral thesis exploring the programming of meaningful human agency in algorithmic systems. Key research themes include: Data asymmetries and power dynamics in algorithmic governance Decentralized personal data systems (e.g., Solid protocol) Gender bias in job advertising algorithms Citizen participation in tech policy-making She has received prestigious awards including the 2021 Virtual Clinic Fellowship and the 2019 CP&T Emerging Scholar Award. Ana actively participates in interdisciplinary collaborations, serving as a peer reviewer for journals like Big Data & Society and presenting at global conferences such as EASST/4S. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications through projects like the FLAnders Mobile ENacted Citizen Observatories and contributions to the European Commission's digital governance initiatives.

• Data Protection Law
• AI Regulation
• Regulatory Compliance
• +3 more

Sophie Stalla-Bourdillon holds the position of Visiting Professor at the University of Southampton. She is also a Research leader in Law, Science, Technology & Society and Metajuridica. Her work focuses on regulatory frameworks governing AI, data protection, and anonymisation techniques. She has actively contributed to debates on EU data protection law and its application to emerging technologies like AI. Research Interests: - Regulatory approaches to AI and data governance - Privacy-by-design principles - Anonymisation and pseudonymisation standards - Ethical implications of AI models - Compliance with GDPR and related regulations Professional Activities: - Organized workshops like 'Clearing the hurdles: A new era in social media regulation' (2025) - Delivered talks on 'From Data to Models: Governing Personal Data in the Age of AI' (2025) - Editorial roles at Computer Law & Security Review (2025 onwards) - Participated in conferences such as CPDP 2025 and Data for Policy 2025

Eugenio MantovaniView profile

Researcher

• Data Protection and Privacy
• Ethics in Research and Innovation
• Cybersecurity
• +3 more

Eugenio Mantovani serves as a Researcher at the Law, Science, Technology and Society (LSTS) research group within the Faculty of Law and Criminology at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium. His work critically examines technology's impact on international human rights law through EU-funded projects and interdisciplinary collaboration. His core research areas include: Data Protection & Privacy (health/aging technologies) Ethics in Research Innovation Cybersecurity (medical/law enforcement contexts) Algorithmic Free Speech & Information Manipulation Urban Planning & Air Quality Policy from Public Law perspectives Recent publications reveal a trajectory toward AI-driven health interventions and regulatory frameworks for digital platforms, with emphasis on GDPR compliance and ethical data governance in EU contexts. His 2024 work on personalized nutrition apps demonstrates applied AI in public health, while 2022-2020 outputs focus on algorithmic speech impacts and children's data ethics. Mantovani contributes to major EU initiatives including: EUAR64: Gamification for Law Enforcement Training (2021-2024) TeNDER: Integrated Care for Quality of Life (2019-2023) FASTER: Disaster Management Systems (2019-2022) TechCare: Assisted Living Technologies (2017-2020) PETABYTE: Privacy-Preserving Big Data for Travelers (2016) As an active LSTS member, he engages in cross-border research networks addressing technology's legal-ethical dimensions through workshops like the 2022 CORE proportionality principle seminar, driving policy-relevant scholarship on human rights in digital societies.

Yves CaudanoView profile

Lecturer

• Nonlinear optics
• Quantum optics
• Quantum weak measurements
• +5 more

Yves Caudano is a qualified researcher at the FRS-FNRS and a lecturer in the Physics Department at the University of Namur, where he is attached to the Lasers and Spectroscopies research unit (UR-LLS). He holds active positions within the Philosophical Space of Namur, Namur Institute for Complex Systems, and Namur Institute of Structured Matter. His research spans multiple interdisciplinary domains connecting physics, philosophy, and complex systems theory. His educational background includes: Degree in Physical Sciences from FUNDP (1995) Doctor of Sciences from FUNDP (2000) Dr. Caudano's research focuses on the intersection of quantum mechanics and optics, with particular emphasis on nonlinear phenomena at interfaces. His work bridges fundamental quantum theory with practical applications in spectroscopy and materials science. He investigates how quantum weak measurements can reveal novel phenomena that conventional measurement approaches miss, particularly in surface physics contexts. His research program integrates theoretical frameworks with experimental validation, creating a robust foundation for advancing quantum measurement techniques and their applications. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward integrating quantum weak measurement theory with practical applications in materials science and quantum information processing. His work demonstrates increasing sophistication in connecting foundational quantum concepts with practical experimental implementations, particularly in surface nonlinear optics and quantum algorithm development. The research shows a clear progression from fundamental quantum measurement theory toward applications in quantum computing and advanced materials characterization. His scientific recognition includes: Prize of the Belgian Society of Physics for the best bachelor's thesis (1997) Winner of the Travel Grants competition of the French Community of Belgium (1996) Dr. Caudano serves in multiple leadership capacities including as Member of the board of the Belgian Physics Society (representative of UNamur, treasurer), Member of the Advisory Committee of the Higher Council for Scientific Integrity, and Member of the PE2 commission jury for FRIA Awards/Distinctions. He actively supervises graduate students and leads multiple research projects including STRQFAFPCIILEAC (2024-2026), ARTEMIS (2023-2027), and WeaM (2019-2023), securing substantial research funding across these initiatives. He leads the Lasers and Spectroscopies research unit (UR-LLS) where his team develops advanced techniques in sum-frequency generation spectroscopy and quantum measurement approaches. The group maintains strong international collaborations and regularly hosts visiting researchers, contributing significantly to the university's research profile in quantum physics and surface science.

Oğuzhan YeşiltunaView profile

Researcher

• European Union Law
• Cybersecurity
• Data Protection
• +3 more

Oğuzhan Yeşiltuna is a researcher at the Faculty of Law and Criminology , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , focusing on intersections between law, science, and technology. He is part of the Metajuridica PhD program, addressing cybersecurity, data protection, and AI regulation in healthcare contexts. Research Themes : EU law, GDPR, medical device regulation, telehealth compliance, and AI governance. Recent Research Outputs include analyses of the EU’s AI Act, cybersecurity frameworks for hospitals, and LESoP (Legal, Ethical, Social, and Privacy) compliance models. His work engages with GDPR, MDR, and NIS2 directives. Key Collaborations involve Paul Quinn, Ashwinee Kumar, and Ruoxin Su. He has organized the HALL-EKFZ Summer School 2025 and contributed to the Health & Ageing Law Lab Blog .

Paul F. NemitzView profile

Visiting Professor

• European Union Law
• Data Protection
• Artificial Intelligence Governance
• +4 more

Paul F. Nemitz is a Visiting Professor at the European Legal Studies Department of the College of Europe in Bruges. He also serves as Principal Advisor in the Direktorat-General for Justice and Consumers of the European Commission, where he has led data protection reforms and transatlantic negotiations. Current Role: Visiting Professor, European Legal Studies Department Institutional Affiliations: College of Europe, European Commission Nemitz's research focuses on European Union law , data protection , artificial intelligence governance , and constitutional democracy . His work bridges legal frameworks with technological challenges , emphasizing human-centric AI and digital rights . Recent publications highlight EU digital policy , GDPR compliance , and democratic resilience . Articles span 2017–2020 , covering AI ethics , data governance , and social democratic renewal . Key themes include technological sovereignty , privacy , and EU institutional reform .

• Political Economy of Communication
• Media Theory
• Digital Media
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Jo PIERSON serves as a Full Professor in the Department of Social Sciences within the Faculty of Social Sciences at Hasselt University. Their academic leadership extends to directing the research group 'Onderzoek naar Digitalisering, Diversiteit en Democratie' (Research on Digitalization, Diversity and Democracy) and chairing the bachelor's program council for Social Sciences. Faculty of Social Sciences Department of Social Sciences Research Group on Digitalization, Diversity and Democracy Dr. PIERSON's research spans the political economy of communication, digital media sociology, and the sociotechnical shaping of normative processes in digital environments. Their work critically examines platform governance, data protection practices across sectors (media, finance, smart cities), and the sociopolitical implications of AI systems. Key thematic areas include user empowerment in digital platforms, algorithmic accountability, and the protection of public values in data-driven systems. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on sociotechnical approaches to digital governance, with particular attention to social media affordances, data protection in transitional contexts, and civic engagement methodologies. The research demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of media studies, science and technology studies, and regulatory frameworks. Dr. PIERSON actively supervises six doctoral candidates working on topics including social norm processes on social media, historical analysis of digital communication technologies, television strategies in digital eras, smart city data protection, and human agency in algorithmic systems. R-EduAI: Socio-technological framework for responsible AI in education (2024-2025) City Deal e-Inclusie by design (2023-2024) C-EMPOWER: Multi-layer analysis of citizen empowerment for personal health data management (2023-2024) As an educator, Dr. PIERSON coordinates multiple courses including 'Data, Technology and Innovation', 'Political Economy of Media and Technology', and 'Public Values and Digital Platforms', while developing innovative case-based teaching methodologies for social sciences education.

• Political economy of communication
• Media and communication theory
• Digital media
• +7 more

Jo PIERSON serves as a Full Professor at Hasselt University's School of Social Sciences, where they lead the Research for Digitalisation, Diversity and Democracy group and serve as President of the OMT bachelor sociale wetenschappen. Their work bridges theoretical communication studies with practical applications in digital governance, with particular focus on how social norms interact with platform architectures. Dr. PIERSON's research interests center on the political economy of communication, media sociology, and the social implications of digital technologies. They investigate how platform affordances shape normative processes, particularly regarding data protection, user empowerment, and public values in digital environments. Their work spans theoretical frameworks like algorithmic governmentality while addressing practical challenges in AI governance and digital citizenship. Analysis of their recent publications reveals a clear trajectory examining the intersection of platform design, user agency, and regulatory frameworks. Their work moves from foundational studies on social media affordances toward increasingly sophisticated examinations of AI systems, data governance, and digital sovereignty. A consistent thread throughout is the emphasis on practical implementation of ethical frameworks in real-world technological contexts. As an academic supervisor, Dr. PIERSON has guided six PhD candidates through completion or toward completion, with research spanning smart city data governance, social media norm dynamics, and digital platform design. Their current research portfolio includes seven active projects, most notably R-EduAI (developing frameworks for responsible AI in education) and C-EMPOWER (analyzing citizen empowerment in health data governance). Within the university, Dr. PIERSON coordinates multiple courses including 'Data, technology and innovation,' 'Public values and digital platforms,' and 'Political economy of media and technology.' They have developed innovative case-based teaching approaches through the CASUS project, aiming to create consistent frameworks for case-oriented social science education. Their teaching responsibilities span both bachelor's thesis supervision and specialized courses addressing contemporary digital challenges.