Interdisciplinary Methodologies in International Law Scholarship A Lawyer’s Journey from the Social to the Life Sciences

Tsioumani, Elissavet

doi:10.1415/107272

Article (Scientific journals)

Interdisciplinary Methodologies in International Law Scholarship A Lawyer’s Journey from the Social to the Life Sciences

Tsioumani, Elissavet

2023 • In Ragion Pratica, 2023 (1), p. 251 - 263

Peer reviewed

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/333576

DOI
10.1415/107272

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Keywords :

Autoethnography; Interdisciplinary Methodologies; Intergovernmental Negotiations; International Law; Qualitative Methods; Philosophy; Sociology and Political Science; Law

Abstract :

[en] This piece explores the engagement of an international lawyer with interdisciplinary methodologies for the study of environmental sustainability and emerging biotechnologies. Using an autoethnographic approach, I discuss key characteristics of the legal discipline, including the link between training and practice, the focus on doctrinal approaches, and the approach on methods and methodology, juxtaposing the latter with perspectives from social scientists. I address the need to challenge basic concepts and question biases and limitations of Western legal scholarship. I explore the usefulness of qualitative methods of social sciences for international law research, and share tools for normative work involving life sciences. Highlighting the need to build interdisciplinary competencies to address complex law and governance questions, I call for rethinking disciplinary boundaries and forming communities of knowledge and practice.

Disciplines :

European & international law

Author, co-author :

Tsioumani, Elissavet ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de droit > EcoLAWgy

Language :

English

Title :

Interdisciplinary Methodologies in International Law Scholarship A Lawyer’s Journey from the Social to the Life Sciences

Publication date :

2023

Journal title :

Ragion Pratica

ISSN :

1720-2396

eISSN :

2612-1441

Publisher :

Societa Editrice Il Mulino

Special issue title :

Field research, ethics, and interdisciplinarity: Reflecting on the new challenges

Volume :

2023

Issue :

Pages :

251 - 263

Peer reviewed :

Peer reviewed

Additional URL :

https://www.rivisteweb.it/doi/10.1415/107272

European Projects :

H2020 - 101029634 - SynBioGov - A framework for the fair and responsible governance of synthetic biology

Funders :

European Union

Funding text :

Elsa Tsioumani has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101029634 (SynBioGov).The author expresses her deep appreciation to Giulia Sajeva and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive engagement with the paper; the organizers and presenters of the summer school on legal research methodology hosted by the University of Burgos (Spain) in July 2022; as well as her instructors in the doctoral seminar on qualitative methods for social science in the University of Trento, Emanuele Massetti and Louisa Parks (the latter also serves as her supervisor). The material shared and discussions held in these two seminars were main sources and inspiration for this piece. All errors and omissions remain the author’s responsibility.

Available on ORBi :

since 26 June 2025

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