Veerle Van der Sluys

Veerle Van der Sluys (Doctor in Physics, Ghent University, 1995) has a passion for software development, web applications and new media applications. Her interest in technology development arose during her academic years as a PhD student and postdoctoral fellow at Ghent University. During this period she developed advanced computer simulations for nuclear reactions.

She left this academic environment in 1997 and lived in the United States with her family for several years. She kept on specializing in new technological developments and took additional courses at New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark in computer science, Java and related web technologies. Back in Europe, she started working as a software architect for Case Consult (later USWeb/CKS Belgium ), AP&P and Actonomy. During this period she learned how to handle more complex software projects in practice.

Meanwhile she remained active in various research projects. Her academic background in combination with her technological knowledge allows her to play an essential role in the translation of research results into precise technology requirements.

Since June 2009, Veerle has been employed at LUCA School of Arts/Associated Faculty of Arts (KU Leuven). Her research and teaching mainly focuses on the importance of the interplay of art, design and technology.

Moreover, since January 1, 2016, she has been responsible for the LUCA-wide policy on artistic research in her role as Vice Dean Research. This mandate ends August 2024.

Since April 1, 2024 she also takes on the role of executive director of the FilmEU Association vzw. This is the legal entity supporting the FilmEU European University (https://www.filmeu.eu ). FilmEU is an association of eight higher education institutions from all parts of Europe. Led by Lusófona University from Portugal, it includes VŠMU - The Academy of Performing Arts, Slovakia, TLU - Tallinn University, Estonia, LMTA – The Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, LUCA School of Arts in Belgium, VIA University College, Denmark, IADT - Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology in Ireland and NATFA - The National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts “Krustyo Sarafov”, Bulgaria.