How We Support Research Activity
School of Law Postgraduate Research Conference (Annual Doctoral Colloquium)
The Annual Doctoral Colloquium is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the diverse research conducted by our postgraduate research students (PGRs). This annual event is designed to give all our PGRs the opportunity to practice and enhance their presentation skills, as well as to obtain feedback on their research. The PGR students give short presentations within themed panels which reflect different research areas such as law and technology, and criminal justice. The presentations are followed by a feedback session provided by two discussants. The ADC is an enjoyable social occasion where all participants get a chance to discuss their research with staff and colleagues. Our 2025 event took place on 12 & 13 May in the Senate Chamber of the Trent Building.
Research Champion
The role of Research Champion involves listening to colleagues to gain a better understanding of research support needs within the School of Law. It is also a role that involves organising events that foster research. For example, early career researchers identified the need for support with grant applications. This led to a dedicated workshop on "Demystifying Funding" which took place in May 2024. The workshop covered key aspects of applying for funding and showcased a number of successful applications. Following positive feedback, a number of other events were organised including Demystifying Knowledge Exchange & Impact (Nov 2024), Demystifying Monograph Writing (May 2025) and there is an upcoming Demystifying Empirical Research (Sept 2025). Resources from these sessions are available for staff on a dedicated Intranet SharePoint
Internal Funding for Research Activities
The School of Law provides internal funding through its strategic research fund. This aims to support the research activities of individual colleagues, as well as those of its various research centres and groups. For example, individuals can apply for funds to support conference attendance, collaborative networking, research assistance or knowledge exchange activities. Funding is also available for Research Centres and Groups to host events, workshops and guest lectures. Funds are limited and priority is given to activities that align with the research strategy of the School and the University of Nottingham Research Strategic Delivery Plan (PDF).
The School also supports its academics to attend national and international conferences that it considers to be strategic for its reputation and scholarship. In the past this has included:
- The Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
- The International Association for the Advancement of Teaching and Research in Intellectual Property
- British and Irish Law Education and Technology Annual Conference
- International Society of Public Law Annual Conference (ICON-S)
Research Away Day
The School of Law Research Away Day is designed to foster community, enhance collaboration, and reflect on our shared identity. This annual event brings together academics, postgraduate researchers and staff to engage in meaningful discussions and presentations.
The day provides a platform for formal and informal interactions, encouraging the sharing of ideas and building of synergies across different research centres and disciplines.
Topics covered at the Away Day in 2025 included promoting research through technology, and embedding EDI in research. There was time to reflect on last year's actions and plenty of networking opportunities at lunch and the post-event social gathering.
Research Away Day 2022
Support for Funding Applications and Research Projects
Extensive support is available throughout the research project lifecycle, with ample guidance and resources.
Within the School of Law, support is provided by the Directors of Research, the Research Champion and the APM RKE Team. They highlight funding opportunities and can support peer review by colleagues, from the earliest idea development stage, through to review of draft applications.
Within the Faculty of Social Sciences, a Senior Research Development Manager provides specialist support matching research ideas to funding opportunities and supporting academics on their research project journey. The Faculty facilitates interdisciplinary collaborations within the University of Nottingham and organises numerous funding events. There are also internal funding opportunities to support research and impact activities, for example, through the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account.