Socio-legal news
Welcome to the news section of the SLSA website. This area is divided into the following categories:
- Events
- Publications
- Research and funding
- Vacancies
- Online resources
- Networks
- Consultations, inquiries and reviews
- Other announcements
If you would like an item added to the news section, please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
New for week ending 14 December 2018 . . .
Events
Cosmopolitan Pluralism and International Criminal Justice Conference, Leeds
Showcasing Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Criminology and Criminal Justice, Leeds
Everyday Political Economies of Plural Policing Conference, Leeds
Funding Justice or Fuelling Crime? The political economy of crime and justice in historical perspective - Leeds Historical Criminology seminar, Leeds
Professor Colin Mayer CBE: Centre for Business Law and Practice annual lecture, Leeds
Law and Psychology Conference 2019, Nottingham: call for papers
SLSA events and SLSA co-sponsored events
Socio-Legal Studies in Germany and the UK: Theory and methods, Berlin: call for papers
Rich Law, Poor Law, London: registration now open
Impact and Law Reform Conference, London: save the date
SLSA Annual Postgraduate Conference, Warwick: 3–4 January 2019 – registration now closed: waiting list full
Publications
Vacancies
Associate professor/senior lecturer in employment law, Swansea University
Five fully funded LINCS PhD scholarships at Queen's University Belfast
Consultations
Law Commission consultation paper on commonhold reform
Vacancies
Associate professor/senior lecturer in employment law, Swansea University
Applications are invited for this permanant post at the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law. Please see website for details. Closing date 31 January 2019.
Five fully funded LINCS PhD scholarships at Queen's University Belfast
Applications are invited for the above scholarships. Please see website for details. Closing date: 21 January 2019.
Chair in law, York University
Applications are invited for the above position. Please see website for details. Closing date: 3 February 2019.
Kent Law School: PhD research studentships, fee waivers and bursaries 2019/20
The Kent Law School invites applications for funding from prospective postgraduate research students to commence in September 2019 at the Canterbury Campus. Please see attachment for full details. Note that closing dates for the different funding opportunities differ:
- CHASE – 11 January 2019
- Kent Law School Studentships and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships: 20 January 2019
- Larry Grant Scholarship – 3 May 2019
Two PhD research scholarships: School of Law, Warwick University
Applications are invited for the above scholarships at Warwick Law School. There are two full scholarships available covering tuition and a stipend for three years of study. Please see website for details. Closing date: 28 February 2019.
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for Overseas Researchers 2019
Applications are invited from UK early career researchers who wish to conduct research in Japan. Applications open for 2019–2020. This scheme is a collaboration between the British Academy and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Please see website for details. Closing date: 12 December 2018.
York Law School: PhD funded scholarships
Application are invited for the above scholarships at York Law School. Please see attachment for details. Closing date: 23 January 2019.
ESRC Doctoral Scholarships, Midlands Graduate School DTP
Applications are invited for these socio-legal studentships. Please see attachment for details. Closing date: 22 January 2019.
Law/Criminology: Swansea University Research Excellence Scholarships 2019
Applications are invited for a number of studentshis at Swansea. Please see webpage for details. Closing date: 4 January 2019.
Online resources
New Blog: 'Housing After Grenfell': call for contributions
A ‘Housing After Grenfell’ blog has been launched by Susan Bright, Centre for Socio-legal Studies, Oxford. She is inviting contributions to add to the debate about housing and law-related matters following the Grenfell Tragedy. For current blogs and for guidelines on how to contribute, see: the blog homepage.
New Blog on Law and Anthropology
A new platform dedicated to legal anthropolog and run by French and European researchers has been launched. This new blog entitled Law and Anthropology is dedicated to news, analysis and debates on legal anthropology.
Research Impact at the UK Parliament: New web hub for researchers
The UK Parliament has launched a new web hub providing researchers with a wealth of information about how to engage with Parliament. Please see web hub for details.
Sociolegal model making
Amanda Perry-Kessaris has created six sociolegal model-making videos on topics included placeholding and material metaphorization.
Legal Scholarship Blog
The Legal Scholarship Blog is a service from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law and University of Washington School of Law. It features law-related calls for papers, conferences and workshops as well as general legal scholarship resources.
Law and Development: Thinking into|about practice: call for contributions
Academics and practitioners are invited to contribute to this collection by informally drawing on text, objects and/or images to reflect upon the nexus between thinking and practice in the field of law and development. To propose a new contribution please contact academic coordinator Amanda Perry-Kessaris.
This collection is part of the Legal Treasure Project.
Film: Socio-legal modelmaking 1 Decisions
The first in a series of films demonstrating the potential of 3D modelmaking as a tool for thinking about complex socio-legal projects and ideas.
OfficialpapersUK Blog
The OfficialpapersUK blog was launched by the Bodleian Library, Oxford, on 14 September 2015. Managed by members of the Standing Committee on Official Papers (SCOOP) it will have regular posts about collections, web archives and news about official publications from across the UK and further afield.
Judicial Appointments Commission: Am I Ready tools – feedback requested
The Judicial Appointments Commission has published some 'Am I Ready?' tools on its website designed to help candidates to assess whether they are ready to apply for judicial appointment. Key points about whom the tools are aimed at and what they involve are provided below. This is the first version of these tools and feedback is invited so they can continue to be developed. Please send any comments to this This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Interdisciplinary Network for Social Protest Research
The Interdisciplinary Network for Social Protest Research (INSPR) promotes cross-disciplinary exchange in social movements research among approaches and disciplines. INSPR organises interdisciplinary events and meetings aimed at promoting multidisciplinary discussion and interdisciplinary collaboration on topics such as social movements, social protest, social change and political behaviour. INSPR is a central hub of interdisciplinary information on social protest and social movements and hosts information about current research, conferences, travel grants, collaboration opportunities and publications. For more information or to sign up to INSPR follow the link. If you want to share information about conferences, calls for paper, or publications, send an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to specifying the necessary details.
UK Data Service: Qualibank
Search and brows qualitative surveys, interviews and open-ended questions. Please follow link for details.
Nelson Mandela: Rivonia trial recordings
The British Library was instrumental in rescuing the unique recording of Nelson Mandela's trial in 1964. The resource has recently been updated with a new blog, audio clips and pictures.
British Library help for researchers: Privy Council appeal cases
Follow the link for various primary sources for research on the Privy Council and the disputes decided within the scope of its judicial function and varied colonial and domestic jurisdictions.
Pioneers of Qualitative Research
British social research experienced an unprecedented flowering from the 1940s to the 1970s. This enabled many researchers to carry out their research on a scale and with a methodological diversity which could not easily be repeated today. This website highlights the pioneers who did this research alongside in-depth life story interviews which explain the context of the research – personal, social and intellectual.
Rule of Law Treasures at the British Museum: A mini virtual tour
Constructed by Amanda Perry-Kessaris, this virtual tour visits five objects at the British Musuem exploring the theme of the 'Rule of law'. The tour is based upon the British Museum–BBC History of the World in 100 Objects project.
Ten years of the Old Bailey Online
The AHRC Old Bailey Online project contains a searchable archive of the trials from 1674 to 1913.
British Library recordings of Rivonia Trial
The British Library has recordings from the Rivonia Trial of Nelson Mandela and an interview with Joel Joffe (Mandela’s defence lawyer) in its recorded sound collections.
In His Own Voice: H L A Hart in conversation with David Sugarman
Oxford University Press has digitalised the audio version of Professor David Sugarman’s (Lancaster University Law School) interview with H L A Hart of 1988 and posted it on the web as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations marking the publication of Hart’s The Concept of Law and a new 3rd (2012) edition. Follow the link to access the interview, and a blog about the interview.
National Centre for Research Methods
The National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) has made available intro-level 'What is?' audio slideshows from the Fifth ESRC Research Methods Festival. Subjects include: 'What are qualitative research ethics?' and 'What are cohort studies'? Visit the website to view the videos.
International Investment Arbitration and Public Policy
This new open access, non-commercial website offers: access to a database of investment treaty cases; an indication of the policy areas to which cases appear to relate; the appointment records of individual arbitrators; other information and commentary on the system.
British Library for Development Studies
Law and development regulation and policy literature newly online at BLDS Digital Library via creative commons.
The National Archive
The National archive crimes, courts and convicts collection is now available.
Statistics on recent public disorder published
Please see Justice website for details.
New resource from the British Library: World Newsreels online
The British Library has announced that hundreds of hours of world newsreels from 1929–1966 have been added to the Electronic Resources pages. They can be accessed via this link.
Networks
Network for Early Career Researchers in the Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector: open for applications
Applications are invited from early career researchers to join this new network, run by Dr Philippa Tomczak, Sheffield University, and funded by a British Academy Rising Star Engagement Award. Please see flyer for details. Closing date for applications: 3 April 2017.
Judicial Images Network: Invitation to join
The Judical Images Network is a new initiative supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The aim of the project is to promote dialogue, understanding, future research and collaboration amongst stakeholders about the production, management and consumption of judicial images. Please see invitation for details and visit the website. A series of events is also planned.
New network for restorative justice research
The Community of Restorative Researchers is a new student-led research network connecting restorative justice researchers across a number of disciplines. It was launched in June 2014. Please see attachment for full details.
Howard League Early Career Academics Network
The Howard League for Penal Reform runs an internet based Early Career Academics Network (ECAN) which has over 400 members. The network provides a regular channel of communication and information about research and promotes closer working and an interface between academics and campaigners. The network is free to join and is interested in recruiting members working in fields related to criminology, social policy, law, or the humanities. Please see attachment for full details.
Graphic Justice
Graphic Justice is for anyone interested in the intersection of justice and graphic fiction. Comics, cartoons, graphic novels, manga and other visual narratives have had a considerable impact on cinema, books and the internet. They form a significant – and growing – element of popular culture, yet the intersection between comics and the concerns of law and justice is one that has received little critical attention. Whether you work in legal studies, philosophy, cultural studies, legal education, penology, law enforcement, art, criminology, sociology, imprisonment/corrections, or literary studies, if you’re interested in comics and the concerns of justice – Graphic Justice is for you. The aim is to gather together academics and practitioners, interested parties and artists, and to promote discourse and engagement on this expansive and under-researched area. An international and collaborative space can be found at graphicjustice.blogspot.com, and you can make contact via the comments sections on that website, or via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For more details, see the attached call for interest.
LawSync
LawSync is a project in the Department of Law, Criminology, and Community Justice at Sheffield Hallam University. The project aims to see a better synchronisation between law as an academic discipline and professional practice, the expectations both of legal professionals and users of legal services, and regulatory influences. The website will offer an online resource where new developments and opportunities can be discussed on a blog. The project is also planning to develop a teaching module which will encourage students to innovate in response to developments in legal regulation, the use of technology and consumer expectations. For full details, visit the LawSync website.
Law Development and the Arts Network
The Law, Development and the Arts Network (LDAN) is a forum for those who seek to challenge the boundaries of expertise and expert language, using the arts as an accessible vernacular to explore and communicate ideas, processes and projects in law and development. Members are drawn from academic, policy, non-governmental and artistic institutions. The academic coordinators are Deval Desai (SOAS), Patrick Hanafin (Birkbeck) and Amanda Perry-Kessaris (SOAS). For more information see the LDAN website
American Sociological Association
Call from American Sociological Association presidence Erik Olin Wright to improve sociology entries on Wikipedia. See link for details.
British Sociological Association’s Sociology of Rights Study Group
The British Sociological Association’s Sociology of Rights Study Group is developing fast, and new members are very welcome. Membership is free and open to all; information on how to join (including our jiscmail email list) is available here. The group recently published ‘Sociology and human rights: new engagements’, a special issue of the International Journal of Human Rights 14(6), November 2010. This was co-edited by the group’s convenors: Michele Lamb (Roehampton University), Patricia Hynes (NSPCC), Damien Short (Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London) and Matthew Waites (University of Glasgow). The opening article is co-authored by the editors and provides an introduction to sociological research on human rights. The volume has also been published as a book by Taylor and Francis in 2011.
International Academic Network on Bioethics ( Réseau international universitaire de bioéthique)
The International Academic Network on Bioethics is headed by Professor Brigitte Feuillet Liger, Université de Rennes I, France. It is a network of law professors from many European jurisdictions, as well as from the USA, Japan, Brazil, Chile and some African countries. It works on the basis of a workshop every 18 months or so on a defined topic in the area of bioethics and invites relevant specialists to participate to supplement the legal analysis (notably doctors, psychoanalysts, sociologists). An edited collection is then produced on the topic. The working language of the network is French, but English versions of the collections will also be published by Bruylant publishers (Belgium) The network’s first theme on donor anonymity in assisted reproduction has been published in French and the English version will be published in September 2010. The second publication on adolescents and medical decision-making will be out by the end of the year (in French with an English version due shortly thereafter). More information is available from the website an English version of which is planned. Thérèse Callus
New JISCmail group: The Vulnerability Network
This is to announce the creation of a new JISCMAIL group: The Vulnerability Network. The aim of the network is to facilitate a space in which academics can interact on this theme – and to allow for a range of initiatives to be set up, including joint publications, events, funding bids etc. The list already has 30 members, and one call for contributions to an edited collection on vulnerability and migrant women. Please do join if you are interested. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Consultations, inquiries and reviews
Law Commission consultation paper on commonhold reform
The Law Commission has published a consultation paper on commonhold reform: 'Reinvigorating commonhold: the alternative to leasehold ownership'. The consultation period is open until 10 March 2019. See website for details.
Law Commission: preliminary consultation on automated vehicles
The Law Commission is reviewing the regulatory framework for the safe deployment of automated vehicles in the UK. The preliminary consultation is now open and closes on 8 February 2019.
Other announcements
Leverhulme Trust: new website launched
The Leverhulme Trust has announce the launch of its new website. See the new website for details of grants, the newsletter and other details.
ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize 2019: open for applications
The ESRC has launched the 2019 Celebrating Impact Prize. The ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize is an annual opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of ESRC-funded researchers in achieving and enabling outstanding economic and/or social impact from excellent social science research. Please see website for details. Closing date: 8 January 2019.
Sexual Offences: Assessing the impact of the definitive guideline – Sentencing Council
The Sentencing Council has completed an impact assessment of the Sexual Offences Definitive Guideline. The guideline, which came into force in April 2014, covers over 50 offences including rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, sexual activity with a child and indecent images. The guideline appears to have achieved its aim to make sentencing practice more consistent for the offences covered, with one exception: sexual assault. This offence has seen an increase in average sentencing severity since the guideline came into force. Having considered the impact assessment, the Council will revisit areas of the guideline for which issues were identified. See website to download the full report or executive summary.
ESRC Better Lives writing competition
The ESRC writing competition aims to encourage and reward outstanding written communication by ESRC-funded students. In a change to previous eligibility requirements, the competition is only open to students who are in receipt of ESRC funding onthe closing date: 7 December 2018. First prize: £1000. Please see website for further details.
Law Commission Consultation on Employment Law Hearing Structures
On 27 September 2018, the Law Commission has launched the above consulation. Please see website for details. Closing date: 11 January 2019.
Open access and monographs survey by UKRI
UKRI invites learned societies, subject associations and researchers to complete a short survey aimed at providing evidence to be used during policy development with regard to open access and monographs. Please see attachment for full details. There are two surveys: one for researchers and one for learned societies and subject associations.
Law Commission: new Welsh law reform project on tribunals
Carwyn Jones, the First Minister of Wales, has announced that the Law Commission will review the laws which govern tribunals in Wales. The consultation will commence in 2019. Please see website for details.
BAILLI User Survey
BAILLI is inviting users to take part in a survey to help understand who its users are, what they want from BAILII, what they like and don't like, and how the service can be improved to best meet users' needs. Please see website for details. The survey only takes about five minutes to complete.
LLM in Law and Social Justice, University of Leeds
The School of Law, University of Leeds is launching an innovative and interdisciplinary LLM in Law and Social Justice. The course is designed for both recent graduates and those currently in employment. For more information see the website.
Flinders mourns the passing of a pop culture pioneer, Steve Redhead
Flinders University has announced the passing of Steve Redhead, the world’s first Professor of Law and Popular Culture. Please see webpage for Flinders University's tribute to Steve.