Who we are

The Groningen Centre for Legal Skills (GCJV) consists of a team of lecturer-researchers, student assistants and secretarial support:

Michelle Bruijn

My name is Michelle Bruijn, and I am an associate professor at the Department of Legal Methods. I am also the founder and project manager of the Groningen Centre for Legal Skills (GCJV). For the past nine years, I have been a lecturer and coordinator in several skills courses within the Dutch and English-language bachelor and master programmes. As an associate professor, I am involved in several research projects, in which research, writing and speaking skills are key competences. As project leader of GCJV, I will spend the next few years working on strengthening these skills within our faculty's teaching and continuing to innovate the teaching materials.

Els Schipaanboord

My name is Els Schipaanboord, and I am a lecturer and a PhD researcher at the Department of Legal Methods. I am also the student coordinator at GCJV. Over the past 10 years, I have supervised many students within both the Dutch and English language bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes, at universities in the Netherlands and abroad. Based on my experience, I have noticed hat students often face similar difficulties when conducting research and presenting their findings. As the student coordinator, I will spend the next few years working on enhancing these skills within our education and I will also be the contactperson for the student workshops.

Stefan van Tongeren

My name is Stefan van Tongeren, and I am a lecturer and a PhD researcher at the Department of Legal Methods. I am also the academic staff coordinator at GCJV. Since 2017, I have been a lecturer and coordinator in the courses Legal Research Skills 1 and 2. In this role, I frequently observe that students struggle with conducting (legal) research, and that lecturers sometimes lack the time and resources to provide optimal support to students. In the upcoming years, I am dedicated to improving and strengthening skills education at our faculty, while also being a contactperson for academic staff members.

Merel Raven

My name is Merel Raven, I am 23 years old and I am currently busy with completing my Master's degree in Criminal Law. Besides my studies, I work as a student assistant at the GCJV and as an external court clerk at the District Court of the Northern Netherlands. From my own experience, both during my studies and in my work at the court, I know how important a good command of legal skills is. However, I notice in both myself and fellow students that it is not always easy to master these skills. This academic year, I am therefore enthusiastically committing myself to the GCJV in order to contribute to the development of skills education.

Amber Weurding

My name is Amber Weurding. I completed the bachelor International and European Law in Groningen, and I am now in the first year of the Research Master and LLM International Commercial Law at the RUG. I am currently a student assistant at the Groningen Center for Legal Skills. I am convinced that (legal) research skills play a crucial role in legal practice, and that language is an important part of it. With my work for the GCJV, I want to enthuse students about legal research and show how important good oral and written skills are. I also value the interaction between teachers and students, as this interaction is essential for the development of legal skills.

Tessa van Hooren

My name is Tessa van Hooren and I am in the second year of the Research Master. I am also following the Master Constitutional and Administrative Law. As a student assistant I am involved in the Department Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Public Administration, and this year also in the Groningen Center for Legal Skills (GCJV). From the Research Master I have learned how important it is to develop good legal (research) skills. The importance of mastering these (research) skills is often underestimated by students, but they are essential for every lawyer. I therefore want to work to strengthen and further develop skills education at the faculty.

Monique Noordhof

My name is Monique Noordhof, and I am the secretary of GCJV and the Department of Legal Methods. I am also an assistant-coordinator of the Student Moot Court and the Togamaster. In recent years, I have supported various courses, including the Thesis Preparation Program. I have an administrative and supporting role within the GCJV.

If you are a student or teacher and would like more information about the GCJV, please visit our Brightspace community. We can be reached at gcjv@rug.nl.