Professorship of Socio-Legal Studies

The Faculty of Law and Wolfson College intend to appoint to the Professorship of Socio-Legal Studies with effect from 1 September 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. This statutory professorship offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of socio-legal scholarship at one of the world's leading law faculties. The successful candidate will also hold a Professorial Fellowship at Wolfson College.

As Professor of Socio-Legal Studies, you will provide academic leadership within the Faculty of Law and the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), one of the world's leading centres for research exploring law in its social context. Building on more than fifty years of internationally recognised scholarship, you will help shape the Centre's strategic direction, strengthen its global reputation, and foster a vibrant and collaborative intellectual community. You will also play a leading role in developing interdisciplinary partnerships across Oxford and with researchers and institutions worldwide.

You will lead an internationally recognised programme of socio-legal research, applying social theory and empirical social science methods to the study of law and legal phenomena. You will secure significant external research funding, generate research with international scholarly and policy impact, and develop innovative research agendas that advance the discipline. Alongside your research, you will teach and supervise graduate students, mentor early-career researchers and academic visitors, and contribute to the wider academic leadership of the Faculty. As required, you will also serve as Director of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies.

You are an internationally recognised scholar with an outstanding record of research achievement in socio-legal studies and a proven ability to lead ambitious, interdisciplinary research programmes. You combine academic excellence with the vision to build collaborations, inspire colleagues and students, and enhance the international standing of both the Centre and the Faculty. You will also demonstrate a strong commitment to mentoring others, fostering an inclusive academic culture, and generating meaningful impact through your research.

The Faculty of Law and Wolfson College are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from candidates currently underrepresented in senior academic positions within the University, particularly women and candidates from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

For an informal and confidential discussion about the post, please contact Professor John Armour, Dean of the Faculty of Law, at john.armour@law.ox.ac.uk. Enquiries about the College Fellowship may be directed to Sir Tim Hitchens, President of Wolfson College, at tim.hitchens@wolfson.ox.ac.uk. All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not form part of the selection process. For details of how to apply, including the job description and selection criteria, please see the further particulars.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon UK time on Monday 28 September 2026. Interviews will take place in Oxford on Thursday 10 December 2026.

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