Law research

Distinctive in our cross-cutting capacity, applied focus and interdisciplinary nature.

We are a community of scholars whose outstanding research crosses disciplines and defines new research paradigms.

Collaboration is a natural and central aspect of our research activities. We have extensive networks both nationally and internationally to assess, inform and influence the operation of law in society through applied and practically-grounded research.

Research Excellence Groups

In our Research Excellence Groups, world-leading researchers work together and across disciplines, adopting distinctive approaches to produce the highest quality research, and effect meaningful national and international change for the public good.

Social Welfare, Law and Administrative Justice

Law and AI

Conflict, Migration, and International Law

Criminalisation

Health and Law

Private Law and Values

Applied Socio-legal Methods Network

York Law School has a distinctive strength in methodologically innovative, applied socio-legal research for the public good. The Applied Socio-legal Methods Network brings together researchers exploring the full spectrum of socio-legal methodology - from qualitative and quantitative approaches, to historical, archival, and advice-led ethnographic methods, to co-production and participatory action research.

We create opportunities to bring together scholars from across disciplines, share insights and experience of different approaches and techniques, and critically reflect on how we study law in society. Through workshops, knowledge exchange, collaborative projects, and capacity bridging, the Network supports methodological innovation here at York, while also building connections with the wider socio-legal research community and practitioners from a variety of fields.

Impact and engagement

The impact of our research is particularly felt through influencing and shaping law, policy and practice; but it is not limited to that.

We are driven by a shared commitment to the impact of scholarly research outside academia and the positive differences it can make to the lives of individuals and communities, particularly those who are marginalised and/or disadvantaged.

Highlights

Centres and initiatives

We're home to and collaborate with several cross-disciplinary research centres that bring together colleagues from various disciplines to produce collaborative and innovative research.