Titled "Sociology of Authoritarian Law: Insights from Central Asia (SOCIAL)," the international doctoral programme will be established within the European Commission's Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON). SOCIAL will bring together 17 doctoral candidates, each completing a PhD at one of 14 leading universities in Europe and Canada that are part of the consortium. Their research will focus on the complex interplay between law, society, and governance in authoritarian contexts.
"This funding enables us to build a robust doctoral training program dedicated to understanding authoritarian legal landscapes," says Rustam Urinboyev, a Sociology of Law researcher at Lund University leading the project. "By doing so, we can ensure that doctoral candidates gain a deep understanding of the complex relationships between law, society, and governance in such contexts, grounded in innovative conceptual approaches and methodological tools."
The PhD candidates will gain hands-on experience and develop policy-relevant skills at hard-to-access field sites. This is much thanks to partners from civil society groups, think tanks, business organisations, and government bodies ensuring insights and real-world impact.
The project will address the challenges of promoting democratisation and good governance in authoritarian regimes. The findings will provide insights for policymakers and practitioners within and beyond the EU, offering strategies to support political reform and institutional strengthening in Central Asia and beyond.
The grant marks Urinboyev's fourth project within the HORIZON programme since 2019. It represents a significant milestone for Lund University, as it is the first Doctoral Network within HORIZON to be coordinated by the institution, further strengthening its role in international research on governance and law.
