Our Team
THIERRY VANDENBUSSCHE
Executive Director Privacy Salon, Privacytopia and Directo ad interim of CPDP
Thierry Vandenbussche has been organizing CPDP and Privacy Salon events since 2019. He is experienced for organising events and curating thought provoking exhibitions since the turn of the century when he launched Courtisane, a platform for film and audiovisual arts and later Outlandish (photography), stilll gallery and stilll office. In 2019 he co-curated the exhibition 'Festival of Control', a show actually dealing with issues like privacy and data control. He reinforces the team with vivid enthusiasm and a healthy sense of urgency. Thierry is Privacy Salons Art Director, coordinating both the general management tasks and curatorial projects.
JONAS BREUER
Research and Partnership Manager and Directo ad interim of CPDP
Jonas joins Privacysalon with much enthusiasm as Research and Partnership manager to support the growth and execution of new and existing projects. Before, he has been immersed in critical research on data at the Research Group Studies in Media, Innovation and Technology (SMIT) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. His research always centred around the question what role ‘normal’ citizens can play in shaping our rapidly datafying cities and societies, and how we can reinforce their agency concretely. His Phd research in particular focussed on data protection rights and data protection impact assessments, and whether these legalistic instruments could make a real difference for citizens in their everyday lives.
KARIN NEUKERMANS
Financial administrator
Having built a solid and extensive experience in the field of accounting, in 2016 Karin joined the Privacy Salon. She is currently dealing with administrative and financial matters on part-time basis. The rest of the time, Karin is pursuing her and her husband’s dream – the Finca San Vicente Bed & Breakfast in Colombia.
DARA HALLINAN
CPDP Programme Director
Dara Hallinan is a legal academic working at FIZ Karlsruhe. His specific focus is on the interaction between law, new technologies – particularly ICT and biotech – and society. He studied law in the UK and Germany, completed a Master’s in Human Rights and Democracy in Italy and Estonia and wrote his PhD at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel on the better regulation of genetic privacy in biobanks and genomic research through data protection law. He is Programme Director for the annual Computers, Privacy and Data Protection conference, Editor of the Data Protection Insider bi-weekly newsletter and author of the OUP book 'Protecting Genetic Privacy in Biobanking through Data Protection Law'.
Ferre Vander Elst
Scenographer & Assistant Curator
As an artist-researcher-curator, Ferre Vander Elst is fascinated by the impact of technology on society and the associated processing of data. In his own work, Ferre draws the analogy between technology and magic, creating fictional creatures that help us re-imagine technological narratives. His tools range from analogue drawing to 3D modelling, (architectural) design and multimedia installation. As assistant curator, Ferre brings together artists with a similar critical approach to technology. As a designer, he nurtures these artists within an appropriate scenography that depicts a multifaceted world. His all-round skillset ensures that every aspect of the exhibition is worked out within this visual and conceptual world.
Birte Vingerhoets
Communication and Production lead
Birte Vingerhoets joined Privacy Salon as an intern while pursuing her Masters degree in Digital Media in Europe at VUB. After graduating, she became a full-time team member, contributing her expertise and enthusiasm to the organisation. Birte is the creative face behind our newsletters and social media channels. With a strong interest in privacy and data protection, Birte is committed to raising awareness about these critical issues through engaging and accessible communication. During her internship, she co-coordinated the Avatar.fm radio show at the CPDP.ai conference, a role she continues to expand by supporting similar initiatives at Privacy Salon.
Carissa Anderson
Student Communication Assistant
Carissa Anderson is a master's student at the VUB pursing her degree in Digital Media in Europe. She has worked with different companies in Europe and the United States to work towards making online spaces safer for everyone, particularly children and vulnerable populations. She has spoken about AI ethics, safe social media, and youth advocacy in responsible technology at different events and on channels, such as Bosch ConnectedWorld, Jubilee, and All Tech is Human. She is incredibly passionate about ensuring technology upholds public values, and is very excited to have joined the Privacy Salon team to work towards advancing data protection through multistakeholder events and initiatives.
Daria Ermolovich
Project & Communication Intern
Daria is a fourth-year Bachelor's student in cultural management at Humak University of Applied Sciences in Finland, currently residing in Belgium. With hands-on experience from internships in various cultural productions and the arts, along with a strong interest in evolving technologies, she brings her diverse skills and enthusiasm to the Privacy Salon Team, where she contributes to curatorial projects, communication efforts, and other tasks.