Faculty in Focus '24

Our faculty is always buzzing with ideas, discussions, and events! Across the past period, our students, researchers, and staff have been involved in an impressive range of activities, from helping solve cold cases to organising events on children’s rights, and from exploring legal questions in popular culture to rethinking how we teach law.

This series brings together some of the most remarkable and inspiring stories. Whether in the classroom or outside the faculty's walls — one thing is clear: our community continues to explore, innovate, and make an impact.

Who Decides What Stays Online? Valentina Golunova on Free Speech and Algorithms

How does the use of algorithms for the detection of illegal or harmful content on online platforms affect the freedom of expression of EU citizens? This burning question occupied Valentina Golunova during her time as a PhD candidate. In 2024, she successfully defended her thesis and obtained her PhD at the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University.

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Hoax – That’s Just What They Want You To Think

Jan-Willem van Prooijen’s book 'Hoax' that came out in 2024 explores why conspiracy theories proliferate and how they undermine democracy and societal cohesion.

No More Room Behind Bars. How Do We Solve This?

Full prisons, staff shortages, and political disagreement about solutions – the Dutch prison system is under pressure. Jacques Claessen (Endowed Professor of Restorative Justice and Associate Professor of Criminal Law) explains how a series of political choices and legislative changes have caused the current crisis. But he does not get stuck in criticism.

Foto gevangenis en portretfoto Jacques Claessen

A Prestigious Opportunity at the International Court of Justice

As the first student from Maastricht University, Doudou Huang was selected for a prestigious internship at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. Since September 2024, she has been on her adventure at the ‘Peace Palace’ and now she’s halfway through. Time to share some insights!

Innovative Education in Personal and Family Law

The revamped course in Personal and Family law was introduced last year. It’s the result of a collaboration between the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University and Zuyd Hogeschool for Applied Sciences. Together with Claudia Hocks (co-initiator and lecturer at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences), Gwen Noteborn (assistant professor in personal and family law at Maastricht University), looks back on the first block of the renewed course.

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Gwen Noteborn en Claudia Hock in het klaslokaal

Combining a Law Degree With Top-Level Sports. Casper and Lisa Do It!

Studying at the law faculty is a challenge in itself, but Lisa and Casper kick it up a notch. Both combine their law studies with a top sports career: Lisa as an international wushu athlete and Casper as a goalkeeper at a Dutch Eredivisie club. In this interview, they talk about how they balance lectures and training, what motivates them, and what lessons they take with them from sports to studies – and vice versa.

Moot Court Competition as a Learning Experience: Maastricht Law Students Win VAR Moot Court Competition

Master students Dutch Law Isabel Bandsma, Ruben Peetam, Youri Quaedvlieg (Constitutional and Administrative Law) and Steven Debie (now graduated from the General Programme) formed the team that represented the Faculty of Law in the VAR moot court competition last year. And with great success: the first prize went to Maastricht!

One Step Closer to the Solution: Students Help With Cold Case Research

Through the International Cold Case Analysis Project (ICCAP), Maastricht University offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in analysing real unsolved cases. For Isis van Cruchten, a recently graduated master student in Criminology, Forensics and Law, this project was a perfect match with her interest in cold cases. By participating in the ICCAP, she not only developed her research skills, but also contributed to police investigations.

Where Law Meets Pop Culture: A Creative Space for Exploration

From hip-hop to Victor Hugo, and historical fiction to classic cinema: What do these things have in common with the study of law, you might think? At Maastricht University’s Faculty of Law, a growing group of researchers and students is exploring exactly that and even more. What began as scattered conversations and shared curiosities has since evolved into something much more dynamic. The Law and Popular Culture Research Network brings together academic inquiry and creative expression.

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Celebrating Children’s Rights Research at Maastricht University: A Day of Discovery and Inspiration

Blog by Julieta Marotta --- Since its recent establishment in September 2023, the Children’s Rights Research group has strengthened interfaculty collaboration and communication amongst colleagues from Maastricht University (UM) working on children’s rights. Building on this collaboration and general interest, they organised a one-day event in 2024: the Children’s Rights Research Day.

Groepsfoto children's rights research day

Curiosity, Patience and Self-Compassion

Blog by Konrad Kollnig --- "Throughout my work in academia, I've met many who even told me in their undergraduates that they really want to pursue an academic career. I admire that. And, I always found that intimidating. Can someone really know for sure where they're going to end up, especially when it's still quite a few years further down the line and when careers in academia are notoriously difficult to plan? Why not instead try to focus on the research and teaching that you find meaningful today?"