Steven Van Hecke

Professor European Politics at KU Leuven

Leuven, Flemish Region, Belgium

About

Being trained in philosophy and political science, I consider myself to be a broadly oriented scholar in European politics, with a particular focus on EU institutions, so-called Europarties and European integration history. Recently I gained a strong interest in non-EU countries (like Ukraine and the Western Balkans). Apart from what is common for an academic (teaching, doing research and publishing) I regularly give guest lectures, organize events - check the Fund involvEU - or participate in panel debates (also abroad) and I have, among other things, experience with consultancy projects (next to fundamental research). I consider engagement very important in my professional and private life. Therefore I enjoy study visits and my professional network (politicians, diplomats and civil servants), often with links to my (former) students. In the Flemish media (radio, television, print and online) I regularly comment on current EU affairs. I also co-host the podcast 'Waarom Europa?': https://waaromeuropa.buzzsprout.com/1864822.

Experience

  • KU Leuven (8 yrs 9 mos)
    • Programme Director Political Science
      Aug 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    • Professor
      Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

    • Associate Professor
      Oct 2017 - Sep 2023 · 6 yrs

  • Guest Lecturer at University of Sarajevo
    Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

  • Chairman at involvEU
    Dec 2019 - Present · 6 yrs 7 mos

  • Non-resident Visiting Fellow EPRS at European Parliament
    Jul 2022 - Jun 2024 · 2 yrs

  • Senior Research Fellow Leibniz-Institüt fur Europäische Geschichte at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
    Feb 2022 - Apr 2022 · 3 mos