RC12 Sociology of Law

Established in 2004. Last edition: 2018.

For the 2018 edition, go to the RC website. Deadline: May 1, 2018.

Purpose

The late Professor Adam Podgórecki was a founding member of the Research Committee of Sociology of Law (RCSL) of the International Sociological Association. He worked tirelessly and fearlessly for the independent status of socio-legal research against the pull of the large disciplines of sociology on the one side and law on the other. He became one of the great leaders in the field with a large number of innovative contributions to socio-legal research, delivered with his inimitable personal style, which was direct, engaging and uncompromising and is fondly remembered by his many admiring colleagues in Warsaw, Oxford and Ottawa and all over the world.

In honour and memory of the lifetime achievements of Adam Podgórecki and his place in the history of RCSL, the Board of RCSL established the annual RCSL Adam Podgórecki Prize at its meeting in 2004. Gifts from donors have made it possible to endow the Prize.

Eligibility

The Prize is awarded for outstanding achievements in socio-legal research, either in the form of distinguished and outstanding lifetime achievements in one year or in the form of outstanding scholarship of a socio-legal researcher at an earlier stage of his or her career, in the next year of the award.

Recognition

1. The prize for lifetime achievements will be awarded as an honorary prize, symbolised by a commemorative certificate, to honour outstanding and exemplary colleagues who have produced guiding and inspiring work.
2. The prize for emerging socio-legal scholars will be a money prize, to honour and encourage colleagues that have yet lo leave a mark on the international level of production of socio-legal research but who have published one or more significant works within no later than 10 year of his or her doctorate.

Nominations

Nominations for the RCSL Adam Podgórecki Prize require two or more supporting RCSL members. Nominations will be solicited every year through the Fall issue of the RCSL Newsletter.

Selection Process

All nominations will be reviewed by an Award Committee, consisting of three socio-legal scholars nominated by the RCSL Board. Publications can be in any language. For works in languages other than those known by the Award Committee, the nominators should give some indications of the values of the work and ideally provide selected translations. To consider works in less well-known languages, the Award Committee can co-opt further members and consult with other members of the Research Committee.

Costs

The money prize awarded to emerging legal scholars amounts to the bi-annually accrued amounts set aside yearly in the Budget of the RCSL.

Timetables

The RCSL Board nominates the Award Committee during the Board annual meeting. Nominations are received by the Committee by March 15. The Prize is awarded at the RCSL annual meeting (June-July).