J.M. (Monique) Steijns

Monique Steijns is a legal expert and works at the WRR as a research fellow.

Monique was involved in drawing up Opgave AI, a recommendation and report on the opportunities and consequences of artificial intelligence for society. In the same context, she wrote AI van repliek gediend, a working paper on the involvement of civil society organisations in the development and application of AI. Monique is deeply committed to human rights and the combination of this commitment with innovative technology is the driving force behind her work. Within the WRR, she also plays a key role in the supervision of interns.

Monique studied law at the University of Amsterdam and specialised in Information Law at the Institute for Information Law (IVIR). After graduating, she went on to become a corporate lawyer in the field of intellectual property law, working mainly for commercial clients. Later she joined the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), where she primarily concerned herself with Technology Transfers.

In 2014, Monique moved to the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. As a senior legal advisor, she provided the Constitutional Affairs and Legislation Directorate (CZW) with expert advice on topics such as privacy, freedom of expression and other human rights issues. Between 2014 and 2018, she served as an expert member of the drafting group of the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Human Rights. Before joining the WRR in 2019, Monique was employed at a regulatory authority.