My research focusses on human rights in their constitutional, international and global dimensions. It examines the transformation of human rights under conditions of globalisation where different (state and non-state) regimes of protection intersect and compete with each other. My research draws on insights from legal and political philosophy, constitutional law and theory, and European, international and global law.

My research on business and human rights deals with challenges to state-based paradigms of human rights protection posed by global business operations. It examines the detachment of the law and politics of human rights from the international order of states, with particular focus on the transformation of the public/private divide and the territoriality/extraterritoriality divide. In this context I am also interested in emerging global regimes of human rights protection such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises or the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Another strand of my research deals with European integration and trans-national human rights jurisprudence. Focussing on the European Union (EU Charter of Fundamental Rights) and the Council of Europe (European Convention on Human Rights) I study the institutional and normative parameters of human rights protection "beyond" the state. One particular interest pertains to the relationship between multi-layered human rights protection in the European legal space and the political integration process of the European Union.

I also have a long-standing research interest in the relationship between toleration and rights-based liberalism. My work in this area draws on analytical and continental philosophy to critically examine a number of common assumptions about the relationship between toleration and the liberal legal order committed to state neutrality and equal treatment (i.e. 'liberal tolerance' or 'tolerant liberalism). I am interested in the legal and political implications of liberalism's commitment to toleration, including questions of constitutionalism and the relationship between political unity and cultural diversity.

Current and previous academic appointments:

• 09/2016-08/2017 Visiting Professor, KU Leuven
• 01/2015-10/2016 Humboldt Senior Research Fellow, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin & Hertie School of Governance
• Since 08/2014 Associate Professor, Department of European and International Public Law, Tilburg Law School
• 07/2010-07/2014 Assistant Professor in Legal Philosophy, Tilburg University
• 09/2008-06/2010 Lecturer in Public (European & International Human Rights) Law, School of Law, University of Edinburgh
• 09/2006-08/2008 Assistant in European law, Free University of Bolzano (Italy)
• 09/2006-12/2007 Lecturer in International Law, Scuola Lorenzo de' Medici, Florence (Italy)

I have substantial teaching experience in comparative, European and international human rights law, constitutional law and legal philosophy. In have also taught on courses in European law and international law. I regularly give lectures and seminars on business and human rights.

At Tilburg, I teach / have taught on the following courses:

• Philosophy of Law A (law bachelor)
• Philosophy of Law and Human Rights (philosophy bachelor)
• Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights: Building Blocks of a Philosophy of Global Law (global law bachelor)
• Global legal rule: the transformation of international law (global law bachelor)
  
• Law in Society (liberal arts)
• Principles of Law (research master)

Click here for my courses.

PhD Students

Michiel Bersters, The Politics of Security in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (completed).

Chiara Raucea, EU Citizenship Inverted: An Alternative to Membership.

Umberto Sconfienza, Money for Nature Swaps.

Ivan Mahecha Bustos, Tolerance: From Equality to Difference.

Casilda Zarauz, The Legal Responsibility of Spain for the Activities of Non-state Actors in Indigenous Communities: Extraterritorial Application of ILO Convention 169.

David Hernandez, Justice, Sovereignty and Globalisation: The Perils and Opportunities for Social Rights.

Daniela Heerdt, Blurred Lines of Responsibility and Accountability: Human Rights Violations in the Context of Mega-Sporting Events.

Ayse Kirac, Progression in Global Democracy: From Local Governments to Global Decision-making Mechanisms.