Research

Our research community conducts research into the socio-legal dynamics of some of the most pressing political questions of the day such as rights, technologies and social media; comparative legal cultures; access to justice; regulation and governance of environmental resources; ethical business regulation; the migration crisis and cultural expertise; legal ideology and religion; and the management of counter terrorism cases in the courts.  We particularly welcome visitors and research students working in these areas of expertise.

Undertaking research and supervising the research of early career academics is at the heart of everything we do at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies.  Since the Centre was first established in 1972 the field of socio-legal studies has expanded considerably and now encompasses a wide range of disciplinary intersections, theories and approaches.  Within that broad context our research stands out because of the particular expertise we have in:

• Theoretically informed empirical research;
• Bottom up perspectives to the study of law and legal phenomena;
• A range of disciplines including Law, Anthropology, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Art History, European Studies;
• Methodology;
• Regional specialisms most notably Tibet, East Africa, Russia and Eastern Europe; and
• Research led engagement with policy makers, practitioners and the public.

Our research considers some of the most important global issues of the day including the impact of technology on lived experiences of law, the global environmental crisis, access to justice and migration.  Whether working individually or in groups there are important themes that run across our work and can be divided into five main clusters:

• Access to civil and administrative justice;
• Law Beyond the State;
• Regulation and governance;
• Law in a digital world: The programme in comparative media law and policy; and
• Lived experiences of human rights.

We particularly welcome applications from prospective research students, post-doctoral fellows and visitors in all of these clusters. Those whose research does not fit into these groups are also encouraged to apply to join our community as we welcome the challenge of being exposed to new perspectives and themes at the interface between law and society.

You can also find out more about particular funded projects hosted by the Centre for Socio- Legal Studies here.