Osnabrück Summer Institute on the Cultural Study of the Law

Since 2009, the OSI has been fostering interdisciplinary study at the intersection of law and culture. Our goal has always been to encourage critical dialogue and scholarly exchange between legal studies and the humanities. In today’s challenging global context, this mission feels more urgent than ever and we are committed to build on and continue our efforts, especially in the face of the current challenges to democratic and open societies.

From July 18–26, 2026, the Institute will once again offer a rich program combining thematic workshops, small-group seminars, and a concluding conference for up to twenty international participants, including doctoral, post-doctoral, and advanced M.A. scholars. The introductory workshop will explore the scope and potential of interdisciplinary approaches in law and the humanities. Subsequent sessions and seminars will tackle key issues in contemporary cultural legal studies, engaging with questions of rights, legal subjecthood, citizenship, migration and more.

The OSI’s central aim is to promote scholarly exchange across disciplines and to provide a forum for the critical discussion of both ongoing research and emerging ideas. Participants will have the opportunity to present their own work, receive feedback from OSI faculty, and engage in in-depth discussion in both larger and smaller group settings. The program will culminate in a two-day conference featuring invited speakers and panel sessions, highlighting the most pressing debates in law and culture today.

The OSI 2026 promises an intensive, thought-provoking, and collaborative environment—a space for new ideas, rigorous discussion, and meaningful interdisciplinary engagement. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of scholars to this landmark 10th edition of the Institute.