Freya Baetens awarded Francqui Chair
Freya Baetens, Professor of European Law, has been awarded a Chair by the Francqui Foundation in Belgium for the impact of her work on lawmaking and policymaking in Europe and beyond.
A wonderful token of appreciation and recognition
Baetens says the Chair is a ‘wonderful token of appreciation and recognition’.
'I'm truly honoured because, like many other scholars, every time an article of mine is published I wonder: does this make any difference to the ‘real’ world? And so to receive this recognition for my scholarship and its positive impact on lawmaking and case law on a regional, national and international level is a terrific boost.'
A bridge between the university and the outside world
Not only do the Francqui laureates contribute to ongoing research, but they also serve as a source of inspiration for other academics and students. Baetens urges them not to lose sight of legal practice. 'When I think of the lecturers that I've learned the most from, they were invariably practicing legal experts as well (lawyers, arbitrators, in-house counsel, notaries, etc.). Input from legal practice can also enhance research through cross-pollination, so let's continue to look for ways to bridge the gap between the university and the outside world.'
Lecture series: Challenging Common Conceptions of Public International Law
To mark the occasion of being awarded a Chair, Baetens is set to deliver an inaugural address to a large audience, followed by a series of four lectures specifically for law students and academics. The theme of her lecture series will be 'Challenging Common Conceptions of Public International Law'. The aim of the series is to transcend the fragmentation of international law by explaining and scrutinising fundamental ideas shared by the various sub-fields of public international law, including economic law, human rights law and law of the sea.
A Francqui Chair is awarded following a highly competitive process in which any academic expert, anywhere in the world and within any field or discipline, may be nominated by a Belgian university for their outstanding academic merit, including the global impact of their academic work.