Book and Article: Algorithms and Fundamental Rights

Integral part of research commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Affairs on the fundamental rights impact of algorithms

Thesis for the master's programme in Legal Research published as a book and article in a scientific journal.

Aims

General aims of the master thesis:

  • The student has profound knowledge and understanding on a subject of choice in the field of his or her research profile.
  • The student is able to design and conduct a methodologically sound individual legal research on an academic level that would meet the generally accepted standards for publication in the field of research at hand.

Adding to the latter, the generally accepted standards for publication in the field of research at hand entails the following skills and expertise:

  • The student is able to individually formulate a clear and relevant research question and knows how to put his research question into practice;
  • The student is able to place the collected knowledge within a (legal) framework for assessment, critically evaluate this and give his own vision on the material;
  • The student is able to present the outcome of his research in a clear and structured way in a written thesis that meets the generally accepted standards for publication in the field of research at hand;
  • The student is able to take up his own substantiated point of view in the continuing public discussion of the development of law.

Students ec’s for this assignment

30

Teacher effort (hours)

The book was written in a three month-period. During this time we met on (about) six to seven occasions to discuss the progress made in addition to regular contact via email. After the research was finished the professors were in charge of the publishing process of both the book and the article. The teacher effort consisted of  guidance, review and the publishing process.

Final product

Book and article in a scientific journal.

Assessment criteria

The thesis is the last requirement of the Legal Research Masters programme. Therefore, the candidate should show a great deal of independence whilst engaging in original research up to a level that resembles publications in a double-blind refereed academic journal as closely as possible.

Description of the example

In the second year of their master's studies, students of the Legal Research Master write their thesis. This thesis is the result of research commissioned by the Dutch Ministry for the Interior and Kingdom Affairs. It deals with the fundamental rights impact of algorithms and contains an interdisciplinary analysis of the numerous ways in which new technologies, such as Big Data and AI, affect a wide range of human rights, ranging from the right to privacy to the right to a fair trial.

More information / Contact

Book: https://www.uu.nl/sites/default/files/rebo-montaigne-algoritmes_en_grondrechten.pdf

Co-author of both book and article: Max Vetzo (m.j.vetzo@uu.nl)