Research Environment
We have a vibrant research environment with a strong research culture and resources to support our work.
ResearchGYM
Our internal Research GYM programme, offers practical workshops aimed at developing confidence and capability across the research pipeline.
ResearchGYM is an ongoing series of monthly workshops covering all stages of the research process. Sessions include:
- How do I spot areas to research and formulate a research question to address?
- How do I develop a suitable methodology to produce information to answer my question?
- What are the theoretical lenses through which I will analyse my data?
- How do I ensure that my results and interpretations of my results are robust and defensible?
- What resources will I need to undertake this work, and where can I find what I need?
- How do I manage my research project?
- Where should I be looking to publish my work?
- How do I write effectively (both to answer a research funding call, and to disseminate the findings of my research)?
- How is writing part of the doing of research in law?
- How do I disseminate my research findings (and the story about my research) early and effectively?
Instructors
Workshops are run primarily by internal CLS staff with research expertise in doctrinal, theoretical and empirical work. The sessions are also supported by the Research Office and may include invited colleagues from other universities or disciplines.
Schedule
Workshops take place monthly on the third Friday of each month after the research drop-in hours. Sessions run for 90 minutes and are followed by informal discussions.
The first meeting will be held online. Thereafter, meetings will take place in person.
Past workshops
ResearchGYM Workshop 1
16th May 2025
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
What use is external research funding to me?
How can I apply for external research funding?
In this meeting we will discuss the sorts of things that funding can bring to our research, and why having external funding can enhance our work.
We will share experiences of how to make effective funding applications, and we will discuss some of the realities of external funding.
We will talk about what resources become available through external funding, horizon scanning, and the work involved in landing a grant.
ResearchGYM Workshop 2
13th June 2025
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Who's Listening? Undertaking Impactful Research
Beyond REF Impact Case Studies, how far is it part of research integrity that we should aim to produce impactful work? Are there days gone when it was enough to write an article on an area that interested us and let it sit in a journal on a shelf for anyone who might want to read it? How should we think about where and how our research lands?How do we build an impact strategy for our research?
ResearchGYM Workshop 3
18th July 2025
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
What do you think? Methodology Matters
Once we have identified our research question, how do we go about finding a methodology that produces robust and sufficient data to answer that question?
What are the fundamental principles of quantitative and qualitative methodologies? How do these methods work in law questions? Where should I go to collaborate with experts in quantitative and qualitative research methods?
ResearchGYM Workshop 4
15th August 2025
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
What is Truth? What is robust evidence in research?
As a bit of a summer treat, we will explore the fascinating world of the Philosophy of Science. What can experiments tell us? Is it all just falsification and paradigms? Does Science and Technology Studies reveal something profound to the absolute?
In law, we are so familiar with ideas of evidence; in this workshop we will see how other disciplines think about our familiar friend.
Please wear shoes with non-marking soles and bring a towel to wipe down the equipment after use.
Journals edited by CLS colleagues
Our colleagues are also actively contributing to the development of the field through their editorial leadership of leading international law journals.
For example:
- International Trade Law & Regulation edited by Prof. Jason Chuah and Prof. David Collins
- European Law Review edited by Prof. Panos Koutrakos
- International Company and Commercial Law Review edited by Prof. Jason Chuah
Research Ethics committee
Our Research Ethics committee aims to support research into Law and Legal Practice. We seek to foster and support appropriate research into law and legal practice, including that which is carried out as part of postgraduate and doctoral level education.
Research Monitoring Scheme
A mentoring initiative designed to support researchers at all stages. The scheme provides structured guidance from experienced faculty, supports the development of research goals and outputs, and fosters peer learning and collaboration