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University of Oxford Centre for Socio-Legal Studies

Methodological Musings

A map showing Indonesia

Go talk to people: Navigating sensitive research about the Indonesian state, in Indonesia, in a pandemic

In this post for Methodological Musings, Rangga Dachlan reflects on overcoming access roadblocks in sensitive research on official state narratives with interviews.

by Rangga Dachlan | 24 April 2024
Two people at a table seen through a glassdoor

On “hanging out” with judges: Reflections on researching “up”

In this post for Methodological Musings, Diana Kisakye discusses access challenges while researching up, highlighting the role of the informal in a predominantly formalistic judicial culture.

by Diana Kisakye | 27 March 2024
A photo of a woman dancing

Legal research on reels: a case for creative methods

In this post, Bhumika Billa reflects on how the limited expressiveness of academic writing can be complemented with artistic output.

by Bhumika Billa | 28 February 2024
people moving through a building

Wandering and Wondering: Coming to Know Place Through Walking Interviews

In this post, James Campbell (Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Oxford) explores movement as method, highlighting how the blending of observation and conversation can unveil rich narratives.

by James Campbell | 31 January 2024
A road stretching into the distance.

From Nearness to Distance: Reflections on Insider Ethnography

In this post for Methodological Musings, Dr Lucy Welsh reflects on how insider research can cause the researcher to move from nearness to distance.

by Lucy Welsh | 3 January 2024
A yellow train car in a dark trainstation

Some Reflections on the Emotional Burden of Conducting Interviews with Victims of Occupational Diseases

In this post, Marlou Overheul (Utrecht University) reflects on the impact of emotionally challenging interview settings, and explores mitigating measures.

by Marlou Overheul | 22 November 2023
A mountaineous landscape and a road

On Learning to Drive

In this post for Methodological Musings, Shruti Iyer (Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Oxford) reflects on mobility in research and shifts in relationships produced by driving.

by Shruti Iyer | 25 October 2023
A view over Johannesburg at night

Researching from the Diaspora: The Benefits and Challenges of an Insider Perspectives  

In this post, Abdullahi Ali Hassan reflects on his experience doing insider research from the diaspora.

by Abdullahi Ali Hassan | 27 September 2023
A photo showing leaves layered on top of each other.

Mixed-Media: The Art of Interdisciplinary Research in Socio-Legal Studies

In this post, Zelia Gallo reflects on the joys and challenges of doing interdisciplinary research in Socio-Legal Studies.

by Zelia Gallo | 30 August 2023
A hand holding a smartphone

Exploring Facebook as a Research Tool

In this post, Caitlyn McGeer (Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Oxford) explores the use of social media advertisement to reach otherwise hard-to-reach participants.

by Caitlyn McGeer | 2 August 2023
A person holding a mirror reflecting the sky

Shrinks, Priests, and Academic Soul-Searching: Epistemic Reflexivity in Socio-Legal Research

In this post, Moritz Schramm (Humboldt-University of Berlin) reflects on the value of epistemic reflexivity in an academic context dominated by doctrinal research.

by Moritz Schramm | 5 July 2023
A book with coloured bookmarks sticking out

On My Unexpected Foray into Textual Analysis (And the Value of Methodological Flexibility)

In this post, Aadarsh Gangwar draws on his experience researching the recognition of queer asylum seekers in Switzerland to explore the value of textual analysis to the ethnographic researcher

by Aadarsh Gangwar | 7 June 2023