A message from the Dean - Michaelmas Term 2024

As another year comes to a close, there is so much news to share. As always, Michaelmas has been an incredibly exciting and stimulating period, with an enormous amount of activity.

Amongst the highlights have been not one, but two, inaugural lectures by our statutory professors. These are important events in the intellectual life of the Faculty, in which we formally launch the research agendas of new senior colleagues. I was delighted to introduce David Enoch, Professor of Philosophy of Law, and Iyiola Solanke, the Jaques Delors Professor of European Union Law.   

We were joined at the start of term by several brilliant new colleagues. Amongst those that I have not previously had the chance to tell you about were Ignacio Cofone, Professor of the Law and Regulation of AI, in conjunction with the Institute for Ethics in AI, Agnieszka Kubal, Associate Professor of Social-Legal Studies, in conjunction with the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, and Lionel Smith, Professor of Comparative Law. It was also the opportunity for Ariel Ezrachi to take up his new position as Slaughter and May Professor of Competition Law.  As part of the ‘Embracing the Changing World’ theme in the Faculty’s strategy, we launched a review of our Undergraduate Programmes earlier this year. While we do not plan to change their core focus—intensive contestation of ideas through the tutorial system—we have identified a number of aspects of teaching and assessment that would benefit from review, including: the relationship between lectures, seminars and tutorials; the form and timing of assessment; and the options available to students. We are gathering data about the way the programme is perceived, and  we have conducted an extensive survey of current students. However, perceptions of the programme may change over time and we are keen also to hear from our alumni. In the New Year, we will invite you to complete a short survey about your experience and thoughts about how we might usefully develop the programme.

Another aspect of this strategic theme has been our piloting a new stream of Professional Development Programmes. Fast-moving changes are impacting the profession and the wider world, including the rise of AI, threats to the rule of law, and rapid change in regulatory environments. We believe that the leading-edge research our colleagues are undertaking into these challenges can help established professionals to inform the way they navigate the opportunities created. This term, we have gone live with the first exciting offering, our Advanced Programme on Competition Law in the Digital Economy.

I am also thrilled to share with you that the University has just approved funding for a feasibility study for refurbishment of space in the St Cross Building that will be vacated by the English Faculty next year. The project would enable us to expand our footprint and dramatically increase the effectiveness of our physical space as a hub for Law in Oxford. I will share further details with you as the feasibility work unfolds.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all those of you who have supported us in 2024 – in many and diverse including participating in our events, volunteering your time to mentor our students, donating to the Dean’s Scholars’ Fund, or inspiring our students through the leadership you show in your professional careers. Thank you, and I wish you and your families a peaceful holiday.