Michael van Ginkel

Michael van Ginkel is a Researcher and PhD Candidate in Law and Security at Tilburg University’s Department of Criminal Law. His research focuses on the intersection of crime and conflict in maritime domains, particularly in the Black Sea region. He holds an MLitt (Distinction) from the University of Glasgow and a B.A. (Cum Laude) from Emory University. His expertise spans non-traditional security threats, maritime security governance, and policy development for stakeholders in conflict zones.

Education:

• PhD Candidate in Law and Security (Expected 2026), Tilburg University
• MLitt in Conflict Studies (Distinction), University of Glasgow
• B.A. in Social Sciences (Cum Laude), Emory University

Research Interests:

His interdisciplinary work combines criminology, international relations, and maritime informatics. Key areas include protracted conflict dynamics, illicit trade networks, hybrid warfare, and the application of big data analytics in maritime security. He emphasizes actionable policy recommendations for mitigating maritime threats.

Professional Contributions:

He has published extensively on maritime security challenges, including reports for organizations like Stable Seas, the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Middle East Institute. His work addresses issues such as Russian Black Sea operations, Georgian seaport vulnerabilities, and Southeast Asian fisheries governance.

Awards and Grants:

• European Cooperation in Science and Technology Travel Grant (2025)
• U.S. Department of State Title VIII Research Grant (2022)
• V4 Think Tank Platform Travel Grant (2021)

Teaching and Consultancy:

Lectures on maritime security within Tilburg Law School’s Global Law Bachelor’s program and serves as a Non-Resident Fellow at the Middle East Institute. He advises civilian and military stakeholders on maritime strategy, law enforcement interoperability, and grey-zone activities across the Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Indo-Pacific regions.

Labs/Teams:

Engaged with Tilburg Law School’s Crime, Criminal Justice, and Vulnerability Theory research group and collaborates with global networks like the Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability, and Security (GLITSS) initiative.