Conference for Early Career Academics on "Interdisciplinarity and Law"
In June 2025, three postdoctoral researchers from UCD Sutherland School of Law organised a very successful conference for early career academics. The theme of the conference was: “Law and…”: Reflections on Interdisciplinarity and Law with Early Career Academics in Ireland and the UK”. The researchers who organised the conference were (opens in a new window)Dr Audrey M. Plan, (opens in a new window)Dr Mina Hosseini, and (opens in a new window)Dr Saoirse Enright.
(opens in a new window)Professor Oonagh Breen delivered the welcome address with Dr Plan, Dr Hosseini led the keynote conversation and Dr Enright gave the closing statements. The event allowed early career researchers reflect on the challenges and opportunities presented by an interdisciplinary approach to legal research. Senior academics and funding partners also joined the conversation, offering insights into career development. The audience was extremely diverse with early career researchers from Ireland, the UK, Europe and South Africa.
Supported by the Sutherland School of Law and the Society of Legal Scholars, the conference served as a forum to explore the realities of interdisciplinary research careers. From methodological challenges to career management strategies, from the excitement of developing innovative theories to the difficulty of disseminating interdisciplinary work - how can early-career researchers successfully navigate academia?
The Conference Keynote Speaker was (opens in a new window)Professor Susi Geiger, Full Professor of Markets, Organizations and Society at UCD College of Business. In her wide ranging speech, she offered a great deal of valuable insights for the audience, including the practical advice that interdisciplinary researchers need to "find their tribe" in order to thrive. In that spirit, the conference fostered valuable new connections and opportunities.
