Interdisciplinary Methodologies in International Law Scholarship: A Lawyer’s Journey from the Social to the Life Sciences

This piece explores the engagement of an international lawyer with interdisciplinary methodologies for the study of environmental sustainability and emerging biotechnologies. Using an autoethnographic approach, I discuss key characteristics of the legal discipline, including the link between training and practice, the focus on doctrinal approaches, and the approach on methods and methodology, juxtaposing the latter with perspectives from social scientists. I address the need to challenge basic concepts and question biases and limitations of Western legal scholarship. I explore the usefulness of qualitative methods of social sciences for international law research, and share tools for normative work involving life sciences. Highlighting the need to build interdisciplinary competencies to address complex law and governance questions, I call for rethinking disciplinary boundaries and forming communities of knowledge and practice.