Research Groups

While cultivating scholarly relations with policy makers, other relevant stakeholders, and the wider public at an international level, CEDU buttresses JusGov’s recognised status at a domestic, EU, and global scale. This Group’s remit is to carry out theoretical and applied research, disseminate knowledge, and offer training and outreach activities on fundamental rights and citizenship, the Union’s internal market and competitiveness, effective judicial protection, and interconstitutionality.

DH’s efforts unpack the meaning of human rights through legal analysis and inspires global dialogue. Our cross-border collaborative work helps identify smarter ways forward and bolsters the journey towards a fairer, freer, and safer world. Through DH’s research, JusGov provides a resonant voice on behalf of human dignity.

E.Tec researchers are pushing the JusGov community towards the forefront where the law and technology meet. Overall, our aspiration is to elevate legal scholarship globally. E.Tec’s triple focus consists in contributing to the output of scientific results of national strategic value; deepening partnerships with the right stakeholders, across geographies and areas of activity; and establishing our Group as a leading international pole, contributing to JusGov’s rising global standing. We prioritise developing multinational projects focussing on the following topics: Industry 4.0; Space Law and Policy; Artificial Intelligence and Robotics; New Disruptive Technological Fields of Law; plus Public and Corporate Governance.

Building on the enhanced networking possibilities of today, GLOB provides JusGov with the means to integrate international, constitutional, and administrative issues, thereby advancing comparative research on pressing issues such as sustainability; the environment and human development; globalisation, power, and polycentrism; as well as democracy and the rule of law. The aim is to increase the visibility of our Centre both nationally and internationally among scientific stakeholders, policymakers, other practitioners, and society at large. Altogether, JusGov is here to inspire change towards a brighter, more prosperous future for all.

JusCrim leads the way in criminal law scholarship within JusGov. Our researchers consistently undertake seminal research that tackles the most pressing issues relating to crime and punishment, examining the roots of criminal behaviour, the impact it has on society, and the proportionality and effectiveness of legal measures to counter it. Devoted to conducting research in the field of applied legal sciences, in particular Criminal and Procedural Law and Criminology, our researchers come from a wide spectrum of backgrounds such as Law, Psychology, and the Social Sciences. JusCrim focuses on crime as a matter of fact with its normative and legal ramifications, targeting issues of effectiveness and criminal justice while prioritising the following key aspects: prevention, policing, and security; legal processes and procedural issues; crimes, victims, and punishments; and the boundaries of the criminal justice system.

JusLab provides a sounding board for collaborative action of legal scholars and judges, lawyers, court officials, policy makers, civil society representatives, and other practitioners; it is our Centre’s Group designed to play a hands-on role in bridging a gap that weakens the health of our social fabric and the trust placed in institutions: the precarious connection between legal practice and scholarship. Sensitive to such a gulf, our research retains its focus on meeting our strategic mandate and is centred on 4 priorities: 1) the rule of law and effective judicial protection, 2) judicial decision-making, 3) court innovation, and 4) justice and social change. Our purpose is straightforward: to get plugged into today’s global drive for more accountable, effective, and humane justice systems. In this process, JusLab is intended to play a pioneering role.

At JusGov, we are committed to contributing to the scientific initiation, training, and fulfilment of student researchers. The EI aims at helping them to develop their research skills and achieve a higher level of well-being and overall quality of life. Our activities aim at bringing students to share their research, stimulating dialogue, and mutual growth. The EI provides a bridge between emerging and established researchers, brings students together with all our Groups, and is highly active in finding and disseminating research opportunities.