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Panel 1 – law
In 2002–2007 seven (out of 39) and in 1996–2007 nine (out of 51)
doctoral degrees were granted in private law with the social dimension
(primarily labour law).
The Norma Research Programme has been an interesting and successful
project, involving one professor, five associate professors, one senior
researcher and four doctoral students. Its purpose has been to study
the topic in depth and from a long-term perspective. The research has
been conducted within a multidisciplinary legal scientific framework.
The research programme has been internationally oriented, with strong
comparative and European integration elements. Many publications are
in English. The programme has its own publication series, but the members
of the team have also – wisely – chosen to publish in internationally
recognised journals. They have participated in a number of European
Commission’s networks of legal experts.
Labour law involves three professors, four associate professors, one senior
researcher and three doctoral students. Research in labour law has to a
large extent been integrated in the Norma Research Programme. Two
main topics have been Flexibility in Service and Discrimination in Employment,
which both are relevant and pertinent issues. In addition, industrial
relations constitutes a stronghold. In labour law, three researchers
have defended their doctoral theses, and one doctoral student is writing
her thesis. Much of the work is of interdisciplinary character, with an
EU or comparative dimension. Gender and law-and-culture approaches
have also played a major role. Some of the researchers are internationally
renowned and have worked at foreign universities as visiting scholars.
Social welfare is also to a large extent integrated in the Norma Research
Programme. The staff consists of one professor, three associate professors
and three doctoral students. Part of it has a quite strong national and
international standing. EU aspects are also present in research on social
security and welfare. A doctoral project looks into parental benefits schemes
and ”the flexibilisation of families”. Another thesis focuses on parents
at work, and includes a gender perspective. A study on family law and its
interplay with social security schemes as well as a number of projects on
different aspects of child law and social law are being carried out. Especially
one researcher is extensively engaged in international activity, both
within the World Congress on Labour Law and Social Security, and the
European Commission’s Networks of Legal Experts.
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