Michel Van Camp

Since March 2023, M. Van Camp has been the CEO of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. From 2015 to 2023, he led the Seismology-Gravimetry directorate at the Royal Observatory of Belgium. A physicist, he authored 53 papers and worked on terrestrial and satellite gravity measurements.

Researchgate LinkedIn Google Scholar

Function

Mr. Van Camp is the CEO of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) and a member of the directing board of the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO). BELSPO encompasses ten Federal Scientific Institutions (FSIs) that have preserved, developed, studied, and promoted exceptional scientific, artistic, and historical heritage for over two centuries. Their national and international missions include public scientific service, research, and enhancing Belgium's international image. The FSIs are: Institute for Cultural Heritage; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences; Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy; Royal Meteorological Institute; Royal Museums for Art and History; Royal Museum for Central Africa; Royal Museums of Fine Arts; Royal Observatory of Belgium; Royal Library; and State Archives.

Research theme:  Geosciences for a sustainable Society

Current Project(s)

To manage the institute as efficiently as possible, enhance an impressive museum, advance cutting-edge research, showcase the 38 million specimens in the collections, and provide excellent public service.

Area of Expertise

Time-varying gravimetry, Superconducting gravimeter, Absolute gravimeter, Metrology, Signal processing, Seismology, Earth sciences, Metrology, Geodesy, Team management, Management, Interviews, Outreach.

Professional Experience

Since March 15, 2023, Mr. Van Camp has served as the Director-General (CEO) of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Before this role, from 2015 until March 2023, Michel Van Camp held the position of Head of the Seismology-Gravimetry Directorate at the Royal Observatory of Belgium. As a physicist, he has dedicated his efforts to understanding the Earth's system and is involved in all stages of the measurement processes. This includes enhancing and calibrating instruments, examining measurement uncertainties, and furnishing data to international data centers. His research has utilized terrestrial gravimetry to investigate slow intraplate tectonic deformations and the characteristics of terrestrial gravity noise and signals, with a focus on hydrological effects.
Since 2015, Michel Van Camp has collaborated at the University of La Rochelle, on research on satellite and terrestrial gravity measurements, where he has also been teaching instrumentation, seismology, and gravimetry since 2018.
Throughout his career, Michel Van Camp has authored or co-authored 53 papers (22 as the first author) in peer-reviewed journals.

Publication highlights