Socio-Legal Research: Bridging Theory and Practice

Target audience

If you are an early career (doctoral and postdoctoral) researcher in legal sciences who is (planning on) conducting socio-legal research, this two-day training will be of particular interest to you.

Are you currently working on a socio-legal research project and looking for tailored feedback? You can also apply to present your project during the “Moderated Forum” session and the subsequent discussion (see below). Presenters may either register for the full training or apply to participate in this session only.

Abstract

Responding to the growing empirical turn in legal scholarship, the training offers practical guidance on applying socio-legal research methods, whilst importantly also grounding them in their epistemological and normative theoretical foundations. 

Through interactive sessions and case-based discussions featuring senior legal researchers, participants will be able to critically assess, justify and coherently integrate socio-legal methods into their own research design.

Objectives

Participants will acquire practical insights into the application of key socio-legal methods, including common challenges and strategies to address these. This will strengthen the coherence, rigour and transparency of their research designs, funding applications and scholarly outputs. 

Furthermore, the participants will develop advanced critical thinking with regard to methodological choices. This enables them to articulate and justify their own choices in a theoretically grounded and thorough manner, exceeding what is typically found in legal scholarship. 

In all, these insights will enhance the credibility and legitimacy of their socio-legal legal research, particularly in dialogue with the social sciences.

Dates and venue

Two full days: Thursday 10 September and Friday 11 September 2026 

Venue: Ghent University, Faculty of Law and Criminology, Auditorium E (9000 Gent, Universiteitstraat 4) 

Programme

Introductory Lecture: This session will introduce key definitions (epistemology, ontology, critical legal theory…) and provide the theoretical framework needed to fully grasp the methods applied in the Workshops and the discussions held during the Moderated Forum and World Café. 

Methods-centred Workshops: These sessions consist of two phases: an initial overview of the specific research method to establish a level playing field among various participants in different stages of research, followed by an interactive, hands-on component. Participants will apply these methods to their own research projects, engage in practical exercises, and will be able to pose questions specific to their personal research needs.

Moderated Forum and Discussion: Selected participants present their ongoing socio-legal research in short (10 min), focused pitches guided by predefined methodological questions. These presentations are followed by a structured and moderated discussion, providing presenters with targeted feedback, while encouraging audience engagement and in-depth exchange.

World Café: Participants rotate between thematic tables discussing key issues in socio-legal research such as practical challenges and reflexivity. The output (posters) will be put up during the subsequent break, fostering further informal discussions among the participants.

Registration

You can register for this event via this link: Eventmanager - registration

Please note that your registration is subject to confirmation by the organising committee (via an e-mail sent from isabelle.zundel@uantwerpen.be).

Researchers from Ghent University will have the opportunity to claim, on a first come, first served basis, one of the 15 spots reserved for them if they register between 1-30 June 2026.

Application for the Moderated Forum

Applications for the Moderated Forum (post- and doctoral research projects): please mail to isabelle.zundel@uantwerpen.be

Please include your contact details and a 500-word description of the socio-legal dimension of your ongoing research project. In this description, briefly introduce your research question and critically reflect on the key socio-legal methodological challenges you are currently facing. You should explain how the theoretical foundations of your research inform your approach to these challenges, and/or identify any difficulties you encounter in bridging theory and the choice of research methods. Applicants are encouraged to highlight specific issues they wish to discuss with peers during the session, with a view to further developing their research.

Please also indicate whether you registered for the full training (Eventmanager, see above) or wish to participate only in the Moderated Forum session, the discussion, and the subsequent networking event on Thursday afternoon.

Registration Fee

Free of charge for Doctoral School members

Please note that travel and accomodation costs are at your owns expense and will not be reimbursed. 

Number of participants

Given the interactive nature of the sessions, this training is limited to 30 participants. 

Language

English

Evaluation method

100% participation

After successful participation, the Doctoral School Office will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this can take up to one to two months after completion of the course.

Organising and Scientific Committee

The committee consists of an inter-university partnership between:

Ghent University: dr. Els Vyncke, dr. Dylan Couck, dra. Kaat Overmeire, dra. Marlies Vanhooren and dra. Suay Ergin

University of Antwerp: dr. Isabelle Zundel, dr. Sandrine Brachotte and dr. Sarah Katz-Lavigne 

To contact us, please mail to: isabelle.zundel@uantwerpen.be