Workshop: Transformative Law

2026-04-22

The overarching theme of the Joachim-Herz-Promotionskolleg, 'Law and Transformation', sits at the heart of current developments. All of the doctoral research topics pursued at our institution have a strong practical focus and address the constantly evolving realities of legal norms, current circumstances, technological progress, and other decisive factors. 
Consequently, legal research relevant to transformation cannot be conducted solely on the basis of norms; it must also adopt an approach that considers 'law in context', taking into account processes of social change and related issues. 

So, how should transformative legal research be conducted? What do we mean by 'transformative law', 'transformation law' or 'law of transformation'? In other words, what are the defining features of transformative law and its associated research methods?

To explore these questions, we organised a workshop in collaboration with the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research (ZIBR) at the University of Lucerne, inviting a group of researchers (both doctoral and postdoctoral) to consider them. After a preparatory period and time for drafting papers, we met for a three-day workshop at Leuphana University Lüneburg from 22 to 24 April, where we presented and discussed our ideas.

The workshop featured guest lectures by Professor Dr Andrea Leiter (University of Amsterdam) and Professor Dr Poul F. Kjaer (Copenhagen Business School). There was also a panel discussion with Professor Dr Jelena Bäumler and Professor Dr Max Baumgart.