Gesa Kübek and Radina Stoykova receive Veni grant from Dutch Research Council

Dr Gesa Kübek and Radina (Adi) Stoykova have been awarded a Veni grant by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Kübek will use the grant to conduct research into how the economic empowerment of women can be strengthened through EU trade law and practice. Stoykova will use the grant to conduct research into algorithmic detectives.

Enhancing women’s economic empowerment through EU trade policy

The world is far off-track from achieving gender equality. Trade could be an important instrument for eliminating economic gender inequalities. Yet, it remains unclear how trade policies should be changed to ensure that women can equally participate in and benefit from trade.

Kübek’s research investigates how EU trade law and practice can contribute to the economic empowerment of women. The project brings together women scholars and policymakers from various disciplines to develop legal solutions and best institutional practices for enhancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment through foreign (trade) policy. In so doing, Kübek’s project amplifies women’s voices and perspectives in both scholarship and policymaking.

Algorithmic detectives: fair trial and reliability assessment of AI-driven digital forensic investigations in criminal cases

Law enforcement agencies are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze digital data in search of evidence. But how reliable is this digital evidence? And how are fundamental rights protected during criminal proceedings?

Stoykova’s research compares how the rules of evidence in the Netherlands and Germany address the use of AI, with a specific focus on regulation and forensic validation. Through legal analysis and case studies, the project assesses the reliability of AI systems across various investigative scenarios and identifies potential risks to individual rights. Its ultimate goal is to develop new standards and guidelines that ensure AI-driven digital forensic investigations are reliable, uphold human rights, and support the integrity of criminal justice processes.

Veni grant

The Veni grant is a prestigious research grant awarded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) to young scientists who have recently obtained their PhD. This grant, which can amount to €320,000, gives promising researchers the opportunity to set up their own innovative research project at a Dutch university or research institute over a period of three years. The Veni is part of the NWO Talent Programme and is considered an important step towards an independent academic career.

This article was published by the Faculty of Law.