Michael Milo and Rosanne Snoek win Teacher Awards 2024 School of Law

Rosanne Snoeks, Nienke Ebbs en Koen Haex
Teacher Talent Award 2024: Rosanne Snoeks (left, winner) and nominees Nienke Ebbs en Koen Haex.

Traditionally, at the festive opening of the academic year at the Department of Law, lecturer awards were presented by students. Michael Milo received the 2024 lecturer award and Rosanne Snoeks the 2024 lecturer talent award. The JSVU presented the awards and addressed all nominees and lecturers present, on behalf of all law students at Utrecht University. In the category lecturer talent (less than five years) the nominees were: Nienke Ebbs and Koen Haex. And in the lecturer category: Jurgen Goossens and Remme Verkerk. The event was held in the Alex Brenninkmeijerzaal, in the Johanna Hudig building.

Michael Milo is known among students as a somewhat eccentric teacher, said JSVU chairman Martijn Filius, because of his great enthusiasm and eloquence when he speaks about the subjects he teaches. A rare enthusiasm, which radiates to the students. His ability to captivate a room, even a hall full of hundreds of students, in his own way, is unparalleled and is experienced as very enjoyable by the students.

About the two other nominees he said: Jurgen Goossens is known among students for his original teaching methods. The way in which students have to answer exam or homework questions is very interesting and stimulating for the mind under Jurgen's guidance. For example, he uses legal notes, impact assessments and legal games to test the student's knowledge. A welcome change from standardized tests.

Remme Verkerk is known among students for his diverse and practical knowledge of civil procedural law. Through his realistic examples he knows how to captivate a class full of students who may have initially found the subject rather difficult. His enthusiasm is infectious and he knows how to really interest students in civil procedural law, which is not always easy.

Remme Verkerk, Michael Milo, Jurgen Goossens
Remme Verkerk, Michael Milo, Jurgen Goossens, nominated for Teacher of the Year 2024.

Teacher Talent Award 2024

In the speech for the teacher talent award, winner Rosanne Snoek was applauded: Rosanne has made a deep impression on her students. She mainly teaches and coordinates contract law and civil and administrative procedural law, but she is also a tutor for first-year students. Students describe Rosanne as an excellent teacher who really makes an effort to build a bond with her students. Important elements of her teaching methods are enthusiasm, humor, music and, above all, honesty towards each other. She often puts on music, to keep her students' energy levels high. 

Nienke Ebbs is not only a teacher of contract law, but also a PhD candidate in that same field. In addition, she teaches introduction to property law, civil and administrative procedural law. She is also a tutor for first-year students and supervises students with their bachelor's theses. Her enthusiasm and ability to convey the underlying meaning of certain subjects make her very special. Moreover, several students noted that Nienke is quite funny, which makes her lectures really stand out. In addition, we understood from her students that her schedules are very useful and contribute to high grades. Nienke's passion for teaching is infectious.

Koen Haex is a lecturer and PhD candidate in constitutional law at the Department of Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Legal Theory. He is conducting PhD research into the position and role of coalition agreements in the Dutch parliamentary system. He also participates in the constitutional law education of the department. In addition to his work at Utrecht University, Koen is an editor at Ars Aequi. What sets Koen apart from other lecturers is that he always makes a connection with current affairs and offers space for critical discussions on certain topics. In addition, students describe Koen as an extremely passionate lecturer who likes to think outside the box, and students appreciate the fact that Koen gives his own twist to tutorials by having students work in small groups.

The chair also had words of praise for all the other lecturers. After talking extensively with many students and hearing their many positive experiences, the entire law faculty deserves a big compliment.