Reflecting on a Fruitful Research Mission (STSM) to Oñati: A Grateful Note from K-Peritia’s Vice Chair
It was a great honour to be awarded a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) by the K-Peritia COST Action, which enabled me to undertake a focused research stay at the Oñati International Institute for the Sociology of Law (IISL) from 22 March to 5 April 2025.
The mission, rooted in the aims of Working Group One on Theory, was conceived as a writing retreat and an opportunity to explore comparative dimensions of cultural expertise—especially in contexts across the Middle East and beyond. I am deeply grateful to K-Peritia for supporting this initiative, and to the IISL for their generous hospitality and intellectually stimulating environment.
Oñati, with its unique legacy as a hub for socio-legal scholarship, offered an ideal setting for quiet reflection, concentrated writing, and meaningful scholarly engagement. The library access proved invaluable, not only through its rich collection of the Institute’s own publications but also through its extensive holdings of interdisciplinary resources—books, journals, and databases—relevant to legal anthropology, comparative law, and cultural expertise. These materials significantly enhanced the depth of my research.
On 25 March, I had the privilege of presenting my current work in a talk entitled “Cultural Expertise in Comparative Contexts: Exploring the Middle East and Beyond.” The presentation highlighted emerging lines of research and the normative tendencies that shape the role of experts and evidence in legal processes in the region. The session was well attended by the Institute’s vibrant community of postgraduate students, visiting scholars, and dedicated staff members, who offered insightful questions and critical reflections. Their contributions enriched the discussion and confirmed the value of sharing regional perspectives within a comparative frame.
What stood out throughout the mission was the warmth and professionalism of the IISL community. The staff were not only supportive and efficient but also genuinely interested in the potential for future collaboration. The openness to explore joint initiatives—such as a future workshop or collaborative case study on local normative systems and cultural expertise (including the Basque Country)—was especially heartening.
This short scientific mission has reinforced the importance of sustained cross-border research dialogue and the critical role that COST Actions like K-Peritia play in supporting such exchanges. I return with new insights, stronger networks, and renewed energy for the collaborative paths ahead.
My deepest thanks once again to K-Peritia COST Action and to everyone at the Oñati International Institute for the Sociology of Law.
This output is based upon work from K-Peritia CA22101, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).