Laureate
Dr. Michiel De Proost has been selected as this year’s laureate for the Lucien De Conick prize. The prize goes to an ethicist (or biologist) who combines high quality scientific research with humanist inspired societal engagement. The jury chose dr. De Proost based on his academic merit and position at two universities (UGent and VUB), where he combines teaching with scientific research on bio-ethical themes. The laureate receives a fund of 2000 euros and an artwork by Paul Van Gysem.
In his research, he utilizes an interdisciplinary perspective whilst paying attention to the different forms of diversity (gender, class, ethnicity, culture, sexuality ...) for decision making in bio-ethical choices. It is this perspective which coincides with the work of Lucien De Coninck that highlights the societal key points of interests in alignment with humanistic values of the foundation. As a bio-political-ethicist, Michiel wishes to strive to develop a bio-ethics with attention to the political and philosophical context. His work tries to give a rebuttal to (neo-)conservative voices by bringing attention to the effects of existing power structures on ethical policy choices. He critically examines the question of what the notion of a "good" and "healthy" life means under the impact of new technological and medical developments.
With his approach, he aims to give a voice to those that aren't usually heard in the debates. Those people whose experiences, perspectives and interests are systematically disregarded in solving bio-ethical questions. The topics of his research include: egg cell donation and freezing, hermeneutical injustice and medical AI, the importance of solidarity in digital healthcare, the salary of doctors, DIY healthcare, resistance and the birth-strike movement. Michiel is convinces that epistemological activism can play an emancipating and shaping role in the fights against social injustice in our society.
Biography
Michiel De Proost is a postdoctoral research fellow for DIME, the Disruptive Innovation in Medical Ethics.
His phd with the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), was published under the form of the book "Huisje, Boompje, Eitje" with Letterwerk. In his doctorate, he studied ethical frameworks of autonomy in the light of the debate on ‘social’ egg freezing. It drew on theoretical insights from feminist perspectives on autonomy, intersectionality and empirical ethics. Methodologically, it combined normative study with qualitative research to create a more context-sensitive moral argumentation. He graduated as master in Philosophy and Moral Sciences in 2015 (Free University of Brussels) and as master in Gender and Diversity one year later. In 2017 he worked at RHEA as part-time coordinator and researcher.
Currently, Michiel teaches courses at both the VUB and UGent within the philosophy faculty and bio-engineering course. Since 2020, Michiel has been an active member of the board of directors of Sophia, the Belgian network for genderstudies.
Ceremony
The pirze ceremony will take place on the 26th of April in the VC Geuzenhuis in Ghent (Kantienberg 9), from 10:00 'til 13:00 o'clock. If you wish to attend, please contact: fondsluciendeconick@gmail.com.