Practices of International (Criminal) Law: Interdisciplinary and Empirical Analyses

In recent years, research on international law more generally, and international criminal law more specifically, has become increasingly interdisciplinary and empirical. Often situated at the intersections between International Law, International Relations, and Sociology, such a growing body of literature has employed a range of methodologies, such as interviewing, participant observation, and content analysis. At the same time, these contributions have led to new research questions, including on how and with what consequences international (criminal) law is practiced on a day-to-day level, and how, why, and with what consequences international (criminal) courts are supported or criticised.<br />

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:13px">Contributing to these avenues for further scholarly inquiry, and in the context of an ongoing cross-school collaboration between <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/law/staff/247/dr-ilaria-zavoli">Dr Ilaria Zavoli</a> (<a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/law">School of Law</a>) and <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics/staff/1268/dr-nora-stappert">Dr Nora Stappert</a> (<a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics">School of Politics and International Studies</a>), prospective PhD research projects will use interdisciplinary and empirical approaches to address research questions such as:&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:13px">&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 13px;">What are the (unwritten) practices of international criminal law as employed by international criminal lawyers?&nbsp;</li> <li style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 13px;">How can we understand developments and contestations in normative content in international (criminal) law, and the role of international lawyers within it?&nbsp;</li> <li style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 13px;">How and why is the legitimacy and authority of international (criminal) courts constituted, supported and/or questioned?&nbsp;</li> <li style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 13px;">To what extent the practice of international criminal tribunals creates consensus and trends, especially in relation to the use of special procedures or challenging situations (e.g., in absentia proceedings, defendant&rsquo;s death)?</li> <li style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 13px;">Which role do international law academics play within processes of knowledge production in international (criminal) law?</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 13px;">These research questions do not constitute an exhaustive list, and prospective PhD candidates can amend or deviate from them, provided their research approach remains interdisciplinary and empirical, and it addresses a clear research gap. Prospective projects can focus on either international criminal law or international law more generally.&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 13px;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 13px;"><strong>Start Date</strong>:</p> <p style="text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 13px;">PhD programmes in the Faculty of Social Sciences start on either 1^st&nbsp;October 2022 or 1^st&nbsp;February 2023. Please see <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/law-research-degrees/doc/apply">our website </a>for our application deadlines. We will only be able to consider applications received by the deadline for the relevant start date.</p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University&#39;s website</a>.</p> <p>Please clearly state in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>&lsquo;Practices of International (Criminal) Justice: Interdisciplinary and Empirical Projects&rsquo;</strong>, indicating Dr Ilaria Zavoli (School of Law) and Dr Nora Stappert (School of Politics and International Studies) as your proposed supervisors. Depending on the focus of the proposed project, please also either indicate whether you wish to be considered for a research degree to be pursued at the School of Law or at the School of Politics and International Studies.</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class Bachelors Honours degree in an appropriate academic discipline as well as holding (or expecting to obtain) a Masters degree with a Merit.&nbsp;Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements are advised to contact the school or graduate school prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate study in the the School of Law is a minimum IELTS of 7.0 with at least 6.5 in all other components. <br /> The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate study in the the School of Politics and International Studies is a minimum IELTS of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in all other components. <br /> <br /> The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>For further information please contact the Graduate School Office<br /> e:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk">applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>