About Mariken Lenaerts

I am an Assistant Professor at the Department of Foundations of Law of Maastricht University’s Faculty of Law, my alma mater.

I first entered this faculty in August 1999, as a first-year student. In 2004 I graduated from the programme Dutch Law (doctoraaldiploma, LL.M.), with a specialisation in ‘Metajuridica’. My final thesis, about the attitude of Dutch academics towards National Socialism in the period 1940-1945, was awarded the ‘Scriptieprijs’ (Prize for the best final thesis) 2004.

After a year of travelling around the world, I re-entered Maastricht University in 2005, first as a lecturer and subsequently as a junior researcher. In 2012 I defended my dissertation entitled National Socialist Family Law. The influence of National Socialism on marriage and divorce law in Germany and the Netherlands, which was awarded the ‘Prix Fondation Auschwitz – Jacques Rozenberg’ in October 2013. More travelling followed, this time through Europe in search of the best climbing spots.

Blood will tell, so after 1001 nights abroad I returned to Maastricht and as of December 2015, I am an Assistant Professor. In December 2017 my book Onconventionele Juristen. Vijfendertig jaar Rechtsgeleerdheid in Maastricht, an Anniversary Book on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the faculty, was published. My current research focuses on the possible implementation of permaculture ethics into law. I am a member of the Maastricht Centre for Law and Jurisprudence and the Law & History Research Network.

I have a wide variety of teaching experience, predominantly in the field of legal history, legal philosophy, political philosophy, law and economics, family law and academic writing skills. I am currently the coordinator of the second-year tax law course Grondslagen en Methoden van Belastingrecht, which combines normative ethics with welfare economics.

In the past I was a member of the Faculty Council (both as a student member and later as a member of the academic staff) and the University Council (student member). I am currently a member of the Board of Examiners of Maastricht University Faculty of Law.