How did this collaboration come about? 

Klaas: ‘Antoine and I have known each other since our student days and have followed each other’s work for years. I’ve always admired the professional training programmes Antoine runs at the Asser Institute. One key to understanding the field of business and human rights is to observe and make sense of the practices, routines and attitudes of the professionals involved. The academies at the Asser Institute provide advanced training for professionals in our field and offer researchers a unique window into the field. It’s a two-way exchange.’ 

Antoine: ‘Yes, we run a range of academies and training sessions for professionals. Klaas attended one of these events, which sparked discussions about our perspectives on the field.  From there, we started exchanging ideas, which eventually led to DigiChain. Now we work with management and computational science colleagues. Beyond the professional connection, there’s also a personal history— we studied law together across France and Germany. Our shared interest in transnational law and private governance naturally brought us back together.’ 

What makes Asser and UvA a good fit for this project? 

Antoine: ‘We complement each other well. At Asser, we engage more with practitioners—corporate actors, regulators, and civil society organizations. This collaboration helps bridge the gap between academic legal research and real-world practice. Even if Asser weren’t affiliated with UvA, this partnership would still make perfect sense.’ 

Can you explain what DigiChain is about? 

Klaas: ‘DigiChain investigates how companies and regulators in the EU and beyond turn to digital tools to comply with sustainability regulations. Many pillars of the European Green Deal, such as due diligence and reporting obligations, explicitly reference technology. In some cases, the European Commission is even involved in developing these tools. From a legal perspective, this is fascinating because laws are growingly implemented through technology, introducing new layers of complexity. Our research examines whether digital tools enhance compliance and how they interpret and reshape legal norms.’ 

Antoine: ‘And this isn’t just about sustainability regulations. The digitalization of governance is happening across the board, particularly in public administration. Our project is unique because no one has really studied this phenomenon in the context of transnational value chains. We’re bringing a fresh perspective at the intersection of law, technology, and governance.’ 

What have you achieved so far? 

Klaas: ‘One of our key milestones is the Spring Academy, which returns this April. It has gained visibility as the only forum examining the role of digital tools in sustainability regulation from a legal perspective. We’ve also attracted interest from policymakers—the European Commission, the German Ministry of Development, the OECD, and others contacted us. There’s a clear appetite for our research, and we hope to expand these collaborations further.’ 

What advice would you give to colleagues interested in similar partnerships? 

Antoine: ‘Be curious and engaged. Follow colleagues’ work at different institutes, reach out, and connect. The Asser Institute has a great group of scholars doing cutting-edge research on a wide range of subjects (from the laws of war and military AI to human rights obligations at the FIFA World Cups). Asser also has strong ties to Dutch ministries and international organizations if you want to engage with practice. We are embedded in the international legal community of The Hague, and we’d love to collaborate.’ 

Klaas: ‘A change in perspective can be inspiring. The Asser Institute blends different legal disciplines, making interdisciplinary work feel second nature. If you’re at UvA and looking for new collaborations, stepping into Asser’s environment might open up unexpected opportunities. And if the trains run on time, The Hague isn’t that far away!’