Michiel is a Lecturer at the Centre for Private International Law (CPIL). His research interest is in civil and commercial private international law, with a particular focus on EU and international harmonisation in the field. Michiel has held visiting teaching and research positions at the University of Edinburgh, Maastricht University, Heidelberg University, ELTE Budapest and Hasselt University.

Michiel obtained a PhD from KU Leuven in 2021. His dissertation focused on the concept of "matters relating to a contract" (Dutch: bevoegdheid inzake verbintenissen uit overeenkomst) in the EU law of civil jurisdiction. His work on jurisdiction in matters relating to a contract under Art 7(1) Brussels Ia was cited in AG Szpunar's Opinion in Case C-265/21 AB, AB-CD v Z EF.

Prior to joining the Law School, Michiel was a postdoctoral research fellow at the KU Leuven Research Council and a fixed-term lecturer of International Business Law in the Leuven LL.M. programme. He gained practical experience as a junior dispute resolution associate in a Brussels-based law firm, as a trainee at the European Commission (DG Justice and Consumers), and as a law clerk in two Belgian commercial courts.