Jonida Milaj-Weishaar is an Assistant Professor in Technology Law and Human Rights at the Faculty of Law. Below is a short interview, inquiring about her research and teaching role in our International and European Law LLB programme and Technology Law and Innovation LLM programme.

What is your specific academic background?

I studied law at the University of Padua in Italy. When I began my studies, the Bologna system of education, that introduced comparable standards throughout all the EU Member States, was not yet introduced. Thus, I completed my full course of studies in national law and obtained the title Dottore in Giurisprudenza.

However, during my studies I became interested in European law and knew that I wanted to learn more about this specific field. So afer finishing my degree in Italy, I came to the Netherlands and completed the advanced LLM program in European, International and Comparative law at Maastricht University.

Six years after, new developments in technology awakened in me the desire to continue my studies. After working in public administration and academia, I decided to pursue a PhD in the field of Privacy, Surveillance, and Technology.

What are your research interests?

My research interests are driven by current developments in technology and the challenges that these create for the protection of rights of individuals. Having worked as legal advisor at the Parliament of my home country, Albania, makes me especially sensitive to the need for legal reforms. We live in a reality where technology is advancing at an enormous speed, and the law is unable to catch up. As technology lawyers, we often are faced with a dilemma: technology can do it, but shall we allow technology to do it?

Do you currently work on any specific research projects?

As a member of the STeP (Security, Technology and e-Privacy) research group, I have the chance to contribute to various research projects. Currently, I am involved in the EU funded H2020 CRiTERIA project. This research project aims to create a novel risk and vulnerability analysis framework that will assist border agencies to better understand contemporary security threats connected to migration. The ultimate aim of this project is to develop a tool that is able to predict and detect risks from controlled and uncontrolled border crossings. Our team has the responsibility to ensure that all the technical solutions are in compliance with the law and to provide legal and ethical recommendations for policy makers, technology developers, and law enforcement agencies.

Participating in research projects has given me the possibility to collaborate with colleagues from different countries and, especially, from different backgrounds. Collaborating not just with academics, but also with technicians, policy makers, law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organisations, etc., provides unique opportunities to learn from first hand experiences. This is what I cherish the most in project work.

What courses do you teach within the Faculty? 

I have been involved in teaching and developing various courses during the years. Currently, the courses that I teach are closely linked to my research interests. Among these, I can mention: Introduction to Technology Law for LLB students, Data protection and Human Rights for the students of the LLB track in Technology Law, and Data Driven Innovation for the newly established LLM program in Technology Law and Innovation.

What do you enjoy teaching about these courses?

Teaching in the field of technology law is never boring. We cover topics such as social media, AI, blockchain, and open source surveillance. The field is very dynamic and there is, almost every day, new and relevant information to be found in court decisions, new legislative proposals, or even the local news. This is also a challenge – one needs to keep up to date with all the developments simultaneoulsy.

What I enjoy the most are motivated students that are eager to learn more. Technology is an integral part of all our lives and it is changing the way in which we think and in which we function. Thus, recognizing the reality we often have very interesting and stimulating debates in class. The interest of the students in the courses that I teach is always driven by experience and their questions and exchanges of ideas are always very topical.

How are the (degree) programmes you teach in unique compared to similar programmes elsewhere?

The English taught bachelor track in Technology Law is the first of its kind in the Netherlands. While studies in the field of technology law are emerging, these are mainly offered at a master level, as minor studies, or in single courses. A fully fledged bachelor program gives students a unique opportunity to gain a broad and detailed knowledge in the field. This coherent approach is very important for whatever studies or career paths they will follow in the future.

Furthermore, this year we started the LLM program in Technology Law and Innovation. This LLM program provides advanced knowledge in various areas of technology law, having innovation as the common thread. The various topics combined with the various teaching and examination methods that we use, provide the students with unique learning opportunities that will make them fit for and successful in the ever-changing job market.

What career prospects do you think there could be for students who pursue careers in your specific legal field of expertise?

While technology is continuously changing the job market, there will always be a need for well-trained technology lawyers. The most obvious career prospects for our graduates are: in-house lawyers for industry, e-commerce, media and telecommunications companies, consultancies; policy advisors for national administrations, international organizations, data protection authorities; IP and Data protection compliance officers; academia, etc.

Do you have any advice for students interested in pursuing your same field of legal expertise?

My advice to all law students is to add passion as an ingredient to their studies. In particular, technology lawyers need to be up to date with legal, technological, and societal developments. They need to develop analytical skills and be able to critically reflect and contribute to legal debates. It is their critical and original thinking that will distinguish them from others, as well as help them overcome whatever challenges the future holds for them.

- Interview by: Dr. Chris Brennan, Marketing Advisor, Faculty of Law

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