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University of Oxford Centre for Socio-Legal Studies

Talking about Methods

Welcome to Talking about Methods, a series of podcasts brought to you by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies in Oxford. In each podcast, Professor Linda Mulcahy will be in conversation with leading scholars in the field about how a variety of different research methods have informed their Socio-Legal work. From surveys to semi-structured interviews and beyond, we delve into the challenges, dilemmas, and unexpected twists and turns of empirical research. The podcasts below are the first in a programme of podcasts about methods we will be developing at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies in Oxford over the next couple of years. You will find a short reading list to accompany each talk to guide future reading. Enjoy!

Logo artwork for the Talking about Methods podcast

Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy chats to listeners about designing a socio-legal research project and choosing between qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

by Linda Mulcahy | 6 September 2023
Photograph of the Royal Courts of Justice.

Court Observation

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Dr Sally Reardon (University of the West of England Bristol) about court observation in journalism and in academic research.

by Sally Reardon | 9 August 2023
A photo of two white mugs, one short and one tall, against a white background.

Comparative Law

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Professor Matthew Dyson (Faculty of Law, University of Oxford) about doing comparative legal research.

by Matthew Dyson | 12 July 2023
A modern laptop computer and a vintage typewriter on a wooden table.

Comparative Socio-Legal Research

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Professors Ole Hammerslev and Hilary Sommerlad about comparative socio-legal research.

by Ole Hammerslev & Hilary Sommerlad | 14 June 2023
An empty grand theatre stage with the red curtains drawn closed.

Law and Performance

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Dr Kate Leader (York Law School, University of York) about law and theatre and performance studies.

by Kate Leader | 17 May 2023
A brown pencil resting on a stack of building blueprints

Legal Geography

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Professor Alex Jeffrey (Department of Geography, University of Cambridge) about doing legal geography.

by Alex Jeffrey | 19 April 2023
Cover of 'How many more women?' by Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida

‘How Many More Women?’ and Feminist Socio-Legal Research

In this Talking about Methods International Women's Day special, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Dr Keina Yoshida about her recently published book, How Many More Women, and feminist methodologies.

by Keina Yoshida | 8 March 2023
A vintage TV with static in the dark

Researching Law’s Visual Culture

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Professor Leslie Moran (School of Law, Birkbeck College) about researching the visual culture of law.

by Leslie J Moran | 15 February 2023
A question mark amongst a sea of rocks and pebbles.

Decolonising Research Questions

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Professor Sarah Radcliffe (Department of Geography, University of Cambridge) about decolonising research questions.

by Sarah Radcliffe | 18 January 2023
Open books overfill the frame.

Doing a Biography of a Piece of Legislation

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Professor Sally Sheldon (University of Bristol Law School) about doing a biography of a piece of legislation.

by Sally Sheldon | 16 November 2022
Wooden gavel on top of a Macbook a computer keyboard.

Interviewing Judges

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Dr Mark Coen (School of Law, University College Dublin) about interviewing judges.

by Mark Coen | 19 October 2022
Black and white chess pieces on a chessboard.

The Price of Positionality

In this episode of Talking about Methods, Professor Linda Mulcahy talks to Professor Mark Fathi Massoud (University of California, Santa Cruz) about positionality in Socio-Legal research.

by Mark Fathi Massoud | 14 September 2022