Kent postgraduate law students presented their work in progress to an expert audience at an academic workshop organised by the Centre for Critical International Law (CeCIL).
Amongst the experts providing feedback was Professor Peer Zumbansen, founding director of the Dickson Poon Transnational Law Institute at King’s College London. Professor Zumbansen later delivered the annual CeCIL Lecture.
Students presenting at the workshop, entitled ‘The Victims of International Law’, included Kent LLM students Amber Cheema, Andriani Panayi, Mateja Koltaj and Danielle Fritz together with PhD students Josipa Saric, Josephine Uwineza and Paulo Bacca-Benavides.
Danielle said: ‘Having participated in the workshop, I feel more confident in my plan to apply for PhD programmes. This was the first time that I presented work in a professional, academic setting. I could not have asked for a more supportive and encouraging environment for my entry into this area of academia. ‘
Paulo said: ‘CeCIL’s research agenda has allowed me to learn from experienced teachers and critical students. The annual CeCIL Workshop was a unique space to continue to integrate my academic endeavors with critical thinking and activism.’
Josephine agreed: ‘The workshop was a fantastic opportunity to present my research on intermediaries to a broader audience. I received valuable feedback from academics and practitioners on my work in progress.’
Josipa, a former Kent LLM student who has returned to the School to pursue a PhD in Socio-legal studies, said: ‘Having the opportunity to present my PhD work in progress to an expert audience meant I received invaluable experience and feedback which I cherish at this stage in my PhD journey. Not only that, I was also introduced to the fantastic ideas my colleagues are working on. Truly a great event; I’m looking forward to next year’s workshop.’
Mateja said the opportunity to present her work at the workshop was an excellent experience: ‘It was a great celebration of my work done thus far, a wonderful learning opportunity and a huge encouragement for my future academic endeavours. Overall, the workshop and later on the lecture by Professor Zumbansen, was a perfect way to conclude the year-round program.’
Professor Zumbansen was delighted to have the opportunity to work with Kent law students: ‘The afternoon workshop provided for a very productive and collegial, open-minded and intellectually vibrant space where graduate students could present their ongoing work. I was particularly impressed and excited by a panel of fearless LLM students who are using the short time span of their Master’s studies to tackle big topics in a bold way.
‘The PhD panel impressed with the excellent manner in which the presenters engaged with their topics, each of which representing an interesting and forward-looking take on big questions and emerging fields. A real pleasure for me to be invited and participate in this well-planned event.’
Professor Zumbansen is an expert in Transnational Law with research interests focused on private law theory, comparative and transnational law. Following the workshop he delivered the annual CeCIL lecture, with a talk exploring the nature of international legal sovereignty: ‘International Law’s Local Blindside: Reflecting on the Public and Private in Global Governance’.
CeCIL is an innovative research centre, based at Kent Law School, which aims to foster critical approaches to the field of international law, and other areas of law that touch upon global legal problems. In addition to the annual workshop and lecture, CeCIL offers a busy programme of activities that includes collaborative events with researchers from all over the world who share an interest in the critical study of international law.
Paulo, Mateja, Danielle and Amber are pictured above