Autocratization Dynamics: Innovations in Research-Embedded Learning

"Autocratization Dynamics" (AutDyn) examines forces and actors that drive societies toward illiberal and autocratic governance, and factors fostering democratic resistance. This is done though researcher and student exchanges, and development of research-embedded, student-led learning at PhD, MA and BA level, and new collaborative research projects. A central modality is the the University of Bergen (UiB) PhD course "Effects of Lawfare: Courts & Law as Battlegrounds of Social Change”, where “Democracy, Legalized Autocratization, and Resistance” formed a special track in 2024 with 10 students from partner institutions. Some of the PhD students also participated in the annual AudDyn project workshop to broaden the perspectives and enhance student-led learning. The PhD course and AutDyn project workshop are integrated into the international research conference “Bergen Exchanges on Law & Social Transformation” (BeEx) where Autocratization Dynamics was a special focus, featuring 10 lectures and roundtables on related topics with participation from partners in the project. The Annual Lecture, given by Kim Lane Scheppele (Princeton University) discussed “Restoring Democracy Through Transnational Law”. The BeEx is a fertile ground for networking and project development, which is especially valuable for young scholars from partner institutions and beyond. The South-South Network, a vibrant group of young Global South researchers established during the 2022 BeEx, has become more institutionalized and has expanded to 25 members. During the BeEx, the network lauched "Rethinking inequalities through voices from the South”, a special issue of Revista Direito GV, published by our partner institution FGV São Paulo Law School. The special issue explores power inequalities between the global South and North. Besides support from the AutDyn project, the group received funding from Fritt Ord Foundation, and the Global Research Programme on Inequality (GRIP) for the publication. In March 2024, as part of the AutDyn activities, a research-embedded and student-led MA course on “Gendered Autocratization” was developed at UiB, and was combined with a 2-day PhD conference on the topic. Students had the opportunity to develop and discuss their research on the instrumentalisation of gender in political processes with other senior and junior experts in their fields. An integrated part of the conference was a public lecture keynote by Satang Nabaneh on gendered politics and autocratization in Africa. The interdisciplinary bachelor’s course on “Constitution, Courts & Politics” (UiB Faculty of Law/ Department of Government) was further developed as part of the AutDyn project, in collaboration with partners. In a series of public seminars - “Book salons” - students (digitally) interviewed scholars and experts from across the globe as part of their coursework. The Book Salons is a great innovation to the course, allowing students engage with leading experts in their area of study, including from among our partners. A number of new joint research and teaching innovation applications are being developed form the AutDyn project around topics such as autocratization resistance, protests as democratic participation, gendered autocratization, indigenous rights, and climate transformation. Further, UiB has just signed an agreement with the University of São Paulo (one of our AutDyn partners) for student exchanges, and one Master student from UiB's "Politics and Governance of Global Challenges" program is spending this autumn semester in Brazil. "Climate Justice", a course student is taking in English, has been established as AutDyn collaboration. UiB and FGV Sao Paulo Law School are also working to establish a double degree for a PhD student at FGV Sao Paulo Law School.

"Autocratization Dynamics" aims to further strengthen UiB-CMI LawTransform as a global hub for research at the intersection of law and politics, and as a leading centre for innovations in horizontal research-embedded education, by forging long-term partnerships with leading research and educational institutions in the field. With partner institutions drawn from among the strongest education and research institutions in Brazil, Canada, India, Norway South Africa and the United States, we aim to create new research on the effects of autocratization dynamics across the globe. The proposed collaboration will secure the advancement of research and education of the highest quality in Norway by developing new interdisciplinary research projects deepening our efforts to understand the role of law in authoritarian dynamics – both in the global south and in the north – and how this plays out in key policy areas. Through innovative research-embedded course developments and student-driven teaching modules Autocratization Dynamics will confront the challenging global environment of competing information streams and where factual information increasingly is politicized and the value of science and academic freedom undermined. To better understand the challenges posed by autocratization and how legal tools may be used to legitimize undemocratic politics, a key aim of all universities in our consortium is to educate students to become active and critical producers of knowledge. To do so, we aim to create a partnership between researchers and students where the students are in the driver's seat in the development of courses and research projects. LawTransform has significant experience facilitating horizontal exchange on research ideas between senior and junior scholars; building international, interdisciplinary partnerships on research projects, and cross-faculty and cross-institutional teaching, both face-to face and digital. The project will build on and further develop this.