CfA: 'The struggle for law' - Summer Academy 2025
The Max Planck Summer Academy for Legal History 2025 is now accepting applications. This annual program offers a unique opportunity for early-stage researchers, primarily PhD candidates, to deepen their understanding of legal history through traditional and modern approaches.
This year’s theme, ‘The Struggle for Law‘, invites participants to explore the conflictual and transformative dimensions of law, inspired by the reflections of 19th-century legal scholar Rudolf von Jhering. Topics may include societal conflicts shaping lawmaking, individual struggles for rights, and legal systems’ adaptation to change. Researchers are encouraged to propose projects on case studies from any legal domain, period, or region.
The Academy comprises three key components:
- Introductory Sessions: Led by experts and guest speakers, these sessions cover sources, methods, and debates in legal history.
- Participant Presentations: Attendees present their research projects, connecting their work to the year’s theme.
- Collaborative Research Development: Participants will refine their projects using the Institute’s resources and through discussions with legal history scholars.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Open to early-stage research students, typically PhD candidates.
- Proficiency in English is required; German is not mandatory.
Application Details:
Interested candidates must submit the following:
- A CV
- A project summary (approximately 10 pages)
- A letter of motivation
Applications should be sent via email to summeracademy@lhlt.mpg.de by January 31, 2025.
Fees and Funding:
Thanks to generous funding from the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory, there is no participation fee. Accommodation is provided at no cost, though participants must cover their travel expenses. Limited scholarships are available for those facing financial hardship.