This course targets doctoral and early-career researchers in legal sciences. The course organisers have noticed an unfamiliarity among the target group regarding the nature of argument-driven articles, which are the standard format for articles in highly-ranked international law journals. Simultaneously, much of the practical knowledge regarding article drafting, redrafting and peer-reviewing remain “silent knowledge” within the faculties. As such, many senior faculty members possess valuable knowledge but do not necessarily get a chance to share it with younger peers outside of direct supervisory relationships.

This course is an attempt to redress this issue through identifying, addressing and critically assessing the practical stages involved in writing a journal article. The course aims to utilise the knowledge available in a way that is advantageous both for the direct target group (early-career researchers) and for more senior academic staff. Furthermore, the course teaches the participants to engage in a constructive review of their own writing as well as that of their peers.


Participants are asked to draft and work on an article during this course. The expectation is that each participant has an article ready for submission by the end of the course – which will form part of the assessment. The course involves working individually, in smaller and bigger groups.