I had the great fortune of joining the Sustainable Global Economic (SGEL) Law Summer School this week, where I got to ride on the wonderful Ivana Isailovic's (UvA) generous coattails to present and discuss the Achbita case with a group of inspiring PhDs and early career researchers. The entire event, which included (but definitely not limited to) the likes of Corinne Blalock (Yale) talking about Law & Political Economy or Phillip Paiement (Tilburg) discussing climate litigation, was an incredible learning experience to say the least. What inspired me the most though was witnessing these early career researchers (and soon-to-be-if-not-already star scholars) share their thoughts and insights with one another with such enthusiasm and vigor.
The wonderful participants of the SEGL Summer School. Me in the back standing on two chairs.
For some time now, I’ve been making my research somewhat secondary, prioritizing instead an increasing assortment of “other” tasks (from parenting to teaching and taking on various admin and organizational tasks). While I’ve managed to churn out the bare minimum amount of publications to keep me in the game, I was not attending conferences and interacting with the research community enough (at least not in a very meaningful way). Almost to the point that I felt quite behind on some of the developments that have transpired in the legal/academic world during my hiatus and I felt somewhat insecure about getting back into it.
The kind invitation by Ivana to teach in this summer school, where I got to experience joy and enthusiasm about conducting research and disseminating/hearing theories and legal narratives once again was an utter delight that helped me shed my insecurities. The participants were discussing ideas and exploring sometimes provocative thoughts with the intent to understand and to learn from one another. I am particularly grateful of Debadatta Bose (UvA) and Barbora Hnatova (Charles) for entrusting me with their draft papers for commenting and to Andrea Leiter (UvA) for allowing me to crash her workshop, where I got to hear ideas from João Telésforo (São Paulo) and Nevena Jevremovic (Aberdeen).
As I reluctantly enter the “middle age” stage of my career with all the baggage and pressures that come with it, I felt rejuvenated by the vitality of this wonderful group that joined us from all corners of the world. While I am still not sure whether I will make research the primary part of my job (as I am much better with the other facets of this job), with this renewed sense of purpose and excitement for research and making new discoveries, I hope to spend some time over the summer catching up and reengaging with my research, which I had decided to put on hold some time ago. Thank you Ivana and to all the participants of this wonderful event for your camaraderie and for your inspiration! I am humbled and motivated.