Strategy focused on programmatic cooperation
- This strategy is prompted by the consideration that significant research questions are located at the interface between different disciplines. In other words: Leiden research is not primarily structured and organised according to ‘disciplines’, but according to themes (within a number of research programmes). This strategy is in line with the overall faculty policy in which an integrative approach to the general principles of law has been adopted. The policy is aimed at deriving benefit within the Faculty from cooperation between researchers from different legal disciplines, without this leading to pressure on programmes which could obstruct individual talent. Every effort is been made to involve as broad a range of expertise as possible in the programmes.
- The Faculty has been influenced in its choice for a programmatic approach by developments which have been taking place since 1995 (“A dedicated approach for law…” Final report of the Fact-finding Committee on Law, Amsterdam, December 1995) in the quality assessment of academic research, specifically within the field of law.
- The current research programmes as established in 2003 have a long history of adapting and combining different themes and subjects. In the recent round of visitations (Report on the Research Assessment of the Faculty of Law 1995 – 2000: VSNU, January 2003) Leiden achieved scored of ‘good’ to ‘authoritative’. This was a good score, but it also prompted further refinement and reinforcement of the current programmes. The Faculty firmly believes that the present programming will enable innovative research to be conducted in the coming years, which will be at the highest level nationally, as well as, in some fields, internationally.
- As already indicated, a characteristic of the research is that it explores the boundaries of research. Fundamental values and norms, as established in human rights, for example, impose certain boundaries on the law. The research is therefore strongly focused on real questions of the status and capability of the law. Such questions come to mind here as: where does the horizon of our present law lie? Should we extend this horizon in order to allow the law to better fulfill its societal function? Is there an issue of any ‘legal shortcomings’? This fundamental approach which duly takes into account and even focuses specifically on its application within society is an integral part of all the Faculty’s programmes.
5/2/2007
