Labour law scholars:
need help with the research component of your degree?
For consultations and any queries regarding research or supervision, please make use of Centrow’s RESEARCH HELP DESK & WRITING LAB, which offers a dedicated space for students to ask questions related to your research, seek supervision support, and make steady progress on your writing. The help desk and writing lab runs from February to November, every second Thursday from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m, and takes place on GoogleMeet link: see the CENTROW calendar entries for the scheduled dates and meeting link.
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION AND RESEARCH SUPPORT MATERIALS, SEE THE FOLLOWING –
- Understanding legal research and research methods in the context of comparative labour law: here
- Guidance on legal research and different types of academic legal writing: here and here and here
- Guidance on the ethical use of AI in academic research: here
- For the UWC Law Faculty Proposal and Dissertation Writing Guide (see here); and for a proposal “template”, see Research Proposal Getting Started; and for details on Supervision Terms
- Checklist and formal requirements for Thesis/Mini-thesis/Research paper
- ‘Writers Block’ and how to get unstuck: here
- Are you struggling to narrow an area of interest to a research topic? See here for the what, why, and how considerations to assist you with articulating your ideas in preparation for approaching a supervisor and before you draft your research proposal
- For guidance on writing style: Basic rules of manuscipt language and First-Person Usage in Academic Writing; and here for guidance on footnotes (referencing style), and where to place a footnote (after punctuation).
Still looking for a topic?
Potential areas of research include developments relating to –
- Evidence-based policy making in the context of [an aspect of] labour law and social protection in the world of work
- ‘Modern slavery’ and forced labour – in a specific context
- Impact of technology and/or climate change (an aspect of/impact on a sector) and a Just Transition in a world of work context
- A topic related to ‘labour law in supply chains’ and statutory developments for regulating (global / regional) supply chains – eg. European Union Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence, 2024 (modelled on France, German statutes)
Have an idea, but looking for a supervisor?
If you have an idea for a topic and the area of research that you are interested in, your are welcome to email centrow@uwc.ac.za and we will assist you with finding a supervisor for your research.
A FIVE-POINT CHECKLIST (BEFORE ANY SUBMISSION):
- Have you clearly identified the issue or focus of your research?
- Have you referenced (where appropriate) relevant cases and provisions of law?
- Have you referenced authoritative sources (on which you will build your argument)?
- If you are struggling with 3., have you consulted with the UWC librarian?
- Have you checked your submission and –
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- Deleted any broad statements / generalisations
- Deleted irrelevant discussion
- Read through each sentence carefully and referenced all statements and claims
Written a brilliant paper or dissertation and thinking about publishing as a journal article?
Speak to your supervisor about potential publication, and consider suitability of your paper for journals such as –
- African Journal of Employee Relations (formerly SAJLR)
- SA Journal of Human Resource Management
- Industrial Law Journal (SA)
- Law, Democracy and Development