Curriculum Vitae

Stefan Kulk, LL.M., Ph.D.

Profile

Experienced legal professional with a strong background in European data protection, AI regulation and new data laws. Coordinating advisor at the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) and former Associate Professor, with a proven track record of leading cross-disciplinary initiatives and providing actionable guidance inside and outside the DPA. Pragmatic and tech-savvy thinker, bridge-builder, and frequent speaker at international forums, events at law firms, and sessions with digital business leaders.

Experience

Senior Coordinating Advisor on AI

Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens)

September 2022 – Present The Hague, NL
  • Leading the development of and articulated the Dutch DPA's position on AI supervision. Coordinating the DPA's strategy and policy influencing in preparation of the EU AI Act. Also advising on the supervision of recommender systems under the Digital Services Act.
  • Spearheaded the development of the DPA's AI regulatory sandbox (pilot phase), where we have provided hands-on guidance to private sector stakeholders.
  • Providing guidance and expert advice within the DPA on the GDPR, the AI Act, and the interpretation of new EU data laws.
  • Mentoring junior colleagues in developing legal analyses, practical guidance, and policy influencing.
  • Setting up collaboration with other authorities, building networks and sharing expertise on AI supervision with 20+ EU and national regulators, including Swedish authorities (IMY, PTS).
  • Delivering keynotes, moderating panels, and facilitating dialogues in (international) forums, conferences and in-house sessions with companies and law firms.

Associate Professor of Law, Innovation & Technology

Utrecht University

2020 – 2022 Utrecht, NL
  • Co-developed, coordinated and taught the Master's program 'Law and Technology in Europe'.
  • Designed and taught courses on GDPR, privacy, and regulation of digital services.
  • Led research projects on platform regulation, algorithmic decision-making and fundamental rights and AI.

Assistant Professor

Utrecht University

2015 – 2020 Utrecht, NL
  • Taught courses on privacy, competition law, and European law.
  • Conducted research on data sharing for diversity and inclusion purposes.
  • Presented research at venues such as European Commission's DG Connect, Amsterdam Privacy Conference, Bucerius Law School, National Communication Association (U.S.), International Association for Media and Communication Research.
  • Visiting researcher at Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society (Harvard, U.S.); project on online service provider liability.

Project Researcher

Delft University of Technology

2014 Delft, NL
  • Advised utility company Liander on privacy and liability of its open data policies.

Internships

Pels Rijcken (top-tier Dutch law firm) & Institute for Information Law, Amsterdam

Education

Ph.D. in Platform Liability, Regulation and Copyright Law

Utrecht University

2012 – 2019

Comparative legal focus on EU, U.S., German, and Dutch law. The research examined how platform liability rules affect the creative industries and proposed future-proof regulation for services that distribute music, video, and user-generated content online.

LL.M. in Information Law

University of Amsterdam

2008 – 2010

Two-year research master program.

Exchange Program

Cardozo Law School, New York

2009

Courses on U.S. law, copyright law and trademark law.

LL.B. & LL.M. in Constitutional and Administrative Law

Leiden University

2003 – 2008

Teaching & Academic Engagement

  • Guest lecturer, IViR Privacy Law Summer Course.
  • Guest lecturer, Nyenrode Business University — Law & IT: Privacy, digital technologies and compliance.
  • Guest lecturer, Leiden University — Executive Program in AI, Law and Ethics.
  • Guest lecturer, Erasmus University Rotterdam — Master Law and Technology, in course on AI, democracy and fundamental rights.
  • Editorial board member, Dutch Journal for European Law (NtEr).
  • Former editorial board member, Dutch Journal for Intellectual Property Law (IER).

Languages

Dutch (native), English (fluent), German (working proficiency), Swedish (Duolingo-level)