Hamburg University: Strengthen international research networks for lawyers!

Hamburg University: Strengthen international research networks for lawyers!

The Bucerius Law School in Hamburg actively promotes research stays abroad for its scientists, with the exchange of ideas and knowledge being the top priority. Robert Maximilian Lamersdorf, research assistant and doctoral candidate, completed a research stay from October 17 to December 16, 2022 at the renowned School of Law at the University of California (UCLA) in Los Angeles, USA. This stay was supported by the Joachim Herz Program and the Übersee-Club e. V. supports.

Lamersdorf's research focus was on US law, especially fiduciary law and corporate law. Through interdisciplinary questions, he combined legal theory with legal sociology. The attractiveness of UCLA lies in the opportunity to gain ideal access to interlocutors who are essential for various aspects of one's research. The central theme of his study deals with legal relationships in which one side pursues the interests of another.

Research focus and objectives

A significant aspect of Lamersdorf's work is the analysis of the interaction between legal norms and extra-legal mechanisms such as social and moral norms and habits. With his research project he seeks to gain a deeper understanding of trust and loyalty in such legal relationships. The main benefit of his stay is the food for thought that he gains from the conversations with professors on site. This type of exchange not only enriches his own research, but also contributes to the general scientific discussion.

UCLA is not only a center for academic exchange, but also plays a role in international law, which makes it particularly suitable for Lamersdorf. There, scientists from different countries are offered the opportunity to pursue their research interests.

International research networks

The research environment of the Max Planck Society, as on mpipriv.de described, is an important hub for legal scholars in the area of ​​private international law and comparative law. Around 1,000 guests visit the institute every year, where they work in reading rooms and have access to an extensive library. The institute offers a limited number of scholarships for foreign scientists who live outside of Germany.

In addition, the institute's Welcome Center supports guests in organizing their stay in Hamburg, be it with scholarship applications or finding accommodation. External scientists can apply for a research stay if they have a serious scientific interest that cannot be satisfied in other libraries.

The Free University of Berlin also allows research stays abroad, provided they do not conflict with teaching obligations or other official tasks, as described below jura.fu-berlin.de highlighted. The flexibility in agreeing the period of stay shows the willingness to promote international exchange and support young scientists in establishing contacts abroad.

Overall, these initiatives underline the importance of international research stays for academic development and exchange across national borders.