Michael is a human rights specialist currently working at the Belgian Federal Institute for the protection and promotion of Human Rights in Brussels (FIRM-IFDH). There, he focuses on SLAPP, protection of civic space, whistleblower legislation and issues relating to business & human rights.

He holds a PhD in human rights law from KU Leuven, where he is also a senior affiliated researcher. His research focuses on the relationship between individual rights and individual obligations, duties and responsibilities under human rights law. In 2017 he did the post-graduate degree in investigative journalism, organized by Journalismfund.eu & Thomas More University of Applied Sciences.