2027 Academy in Advanced Legal Research and Method (TALS)

The Academy in Advanced Legal Research and Method is an intensive, wholly online and live (synchronous, not recorded) academy convened by the Transnational Association of Legal Scholars (TALS). It runs during the week of 15 to 19 February 2027 (AEST). Each year TALS provides a short period of intensive training to a carefully selected group of 16 graduate students and early career legal researchers in the legal academic activities of research writing, careful reading, and effective academic communication.

The focus is on method, practical training and the cultivation of an ethos, rather than on providing schematic and critical overviews of the different theories and approaches that might constitute the field of legal research from time to time. The Academy draws upon the expertise and interests of TALS, which includes several years of research mentoring, organising and participating in research writing workshops, organising reading groups to develop student reading skills, and important contributions towards influencing and forming the practical engagements with research methods in the international legal field. Studying the membership of TALS will give applicants a sense of the general orientation of the Faculty.

The Transnational Association of Legal Scholars (TALS) is a group of legal scholars established in 2023, experienced in research and supervision, and interested in the conduct and method of research in law. The TALS Academy is convened each year by the LP-GCIL (Laureate Program in Global Corporations and International Law) together with TALS. The programme is affiliated with Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne. Core faculty will be drawn from the Transnational Association of Legal Scholars.

The Academy generally comprises four components, which together form an intensive workshop-based training experience.

• Writing Workshop in which participants will give and receive feedback on each other's work, and receive individual written feedback from faculty.
• Skills presentations on academic craft and skills, delivered by faculty.
• Surgeries in which faculty members will work with small groups of participants to talk with them about their individual questions about craft, research, careers and cognate matters.
• Design Lab sessions conducted through sustained engagement with the basic architecture and the choices made in the design of a specific "work in-progress" of a faculty member. The Design Lab sessions act as a companion exercise to the Writing Workshop for the participants.

The virtual academy will run during the week of 15 to 19 February 2027 and, over that week, will run for 18 to 20 hours. It is conducted over 5 days with a daily duration of 4 to 4.5 hours. Participants must commit to attending all 16 to 18 hours in total over the week. Partial attendance is not permitted. The final schedule will be determined after selection and based on the location of participants and faculty. Participants must ensure they have the necessary access to internet facilities in place before the Academy.

The Academy is open to graduate students and early career legal researchers. Up to 16 Academy Scholars are selected each year. In selecting the 16 Academy Scholars, preference will be given to those based in universities in the Global South. In order to participate, you must have reliable internet access.

The fees to attend the Academy are AUD 1000. However, a large number of scholarships are available, which will fully cover the fees. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please tick the box in the application form. All participants are expected to attend the whole Academy and must commit to doing so as part of the application.

There are two elements to applying. First, complete the online application form (https://forms.gle/b2Cmob6sYHHL6zSv6). Second, submit your supporting document as a PDF in the Dropbox link located within the application form. Applications are due by 1 October 2026 (AEST).

The supporting document should be structured as follows, using these headings in this order:

• Name: first name, last name in CAPS (e.g. John LENON).
• Contact Details: email, phone, WhatsApp.
• Affiliation: University/Organisation.
• PhD Status: Institution and year completed OR current year of enrolment (e.g. JNU (2023) or Uni of Melbourne, 3rd Year).
• Why I want to attend: 250 words maximum on why you want to attend the Academy.
• Abstract: 250 words abstract on the paper/chapter you would like to share at the writing workshop.
• Curriculum Vitae: 3 pages maximum.
• Academic Referee: Name and email of one referee.

In the footer of your application, number each page of your application. Selected participants must submit a 3,000-word paper for the writing workshop by 10 December 2026 (AEST).