Interview with Steven Lierman

1. What are your research interests and what research questions are you currently working on?

As a full time professor I am conducting and supervising research in administrative law and health law. It is my pleasure to be part of two research institutes at KU Leuven, the Leuven Centre for Public Law (www.publiclaw.be) and the Leuven Centre for Healthcare Policy (www.ligb.be). Ongoing research in administrative law focusses inter alia on the principles of good citizenship, legal protection against legislative inaction, conflicts of interest in decentralized public bodies and government liability. In health law our research focus currently lies on routinely collected data in health, minors in medicine and cross-border access to end of life services.

2. Why did you visit the University of Bergen and what did you get out of your stay? 

Thanks to my sabbatical leave I did not have any teaching assignment at home for a full semester. This enabled me to do research stays at the VU in Amsterdam and the University of Bergen. I really loved discussing law with Norwegian scholars and students, as Belgian lawyers are in general unfamiliar with Norwegian law. In Belgium, we are lacking a general administrative law act, so it was most interesting to learn about the Norwegian public administration act. It was also a pleasure to discuss ongoing research and future opportunities at our universities, as we seem to have a lot in common. Of course I also enjoyed the city, the Norwegian people and the overwhelming nature. To take part in the official parade on constitution day is one of the most beautiful memories I am taking home.

3. You were elected President of the European Association of Health Law in 2023. Can you tell us a little bit about your involvement in European health law research? 

In May I was indeed elected as president of the European Association of Health Law, after being a board member for six years. Like my predecessor, prof. Karl Sovig, I will do my best to contribute to the promotion of health law research throughout Europe. The EAHL offers a forum for junior and senior lawyers involved with health law issues from countries in the Council of Europe to discuss, exchange expertise and collaborate. In May a seminar for young scholars and PhD students was organized at the university of Göttingen. The next highlight is undoubtedly our biannual conference. Warsaw will host the 9^th EAHL conference from 18 to 20 September 2024. More news will be available on the EAHL-website in September: www.eahl.eu. Everyone who is interested in health law is more than welcome!