Shared Values 

Reflecting on the connection between her work and the focus of Law for Health and Life, Professor Hervey shared, “Law for Health and Life embodies the kinds of research that I most enjoy being engaged in: interdisciplinary; acknowledging and celebrating the place of legal scholarship in the academy and the world; grounded in problem-solving for the world; progressive; and inclusive of learners at all career stages.” Hervey emphasized the deep relevance of EU law to the work done by Law for Health and Life: “There is scarcely an aspect of the law on health and life that is untouched by European Union law, so my transversal knowledge of and ongoing research into European Union health law will be pertinent for pretty much all current and future work at Law for Health and Life.” 

Evolving Perspectives in EU Health Law 

Reflecting on the evolution of her field, Hervey recalls: “One of the earliest surprises was just how much ‘European Union health law’ there is, and was, even in the 1990s. When Jean McHale and I began our first big project on EU Health Law, a senior colleague was concerned. ‘European Union health law,’ he said. ‘There isn’t any.’ Then he paused, and said, ‘Oh, gosh, sorry, yes, there is so much!’” Working across disciplines and legal domains continues to drive her passion: “You have to be enough of a technical expert in many areas of EU law... to see how those areas of law affect human health. But that’s also what makes the research agenda fun for me: it’s never thinking ‘within the lines’, it’s always challenging the very existence of the lines.” 

Approach to Collaboration 

When asked about collaboration, Hervey encouraged thinking in terms of contribution rather than fixed themes: “Rather than ‘areas’, I’d like to think of ways where my expertise, knowledge and experience can help. Are there projects where a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ would be helpful to see the bigger picture? Are there deliverables that it is hard to get over the line, where another writer, or sounding board for writing, would be of assistance?” She also expressed interest in mentoring: “Are there earlier career scholars, or students, who would welcome some mentoring? This kind of thing.” 

Looking ahead, Hervey highlighted two key projects. The first is a co-authored concept paper emerging from her long-standing collaboration with contributors to the Oxford University Press Online Encyclopaedia of EU Law, including Professor Anniek de Ruijter from Law for Health and Life. “We realised a year or so ago that we were having a conversation about how we conceptualise the field. We want to publish our thoughts.” The second is a deep dive into ‘legal resilience’ in EU post-COVID health law. “I’m considering a range of Union law and policy... and asking to what extent Union law and policy meets the basic criteria for good ‘legal preparedness’.” She argues that effective legal preparedness must be proactive and inclusive: “A common legal problem is that there is insufficient attention to human rights, to issues of inequality and discrimination. The law should be inclusive, in the sense of taking into account the unequal effects that public health emergencies have on the most vulnerable, both in the EU and globally.” 

We are excited to host Professor Hervey during her time as Visiting Professor and look forward to the many ways her work and insights will contribute to Law for Health and Life.