Chair: Professor Diamond Ashiagbor, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Speakers: Professor Fiona Cownie, Professor of Law and Pro Vice Chancellor, Keele University Professor Valsamis Mitsilegas, Professor of European Criminal Law and Head of the Department of Law, Queen Mary, University of London Professor Hilary Sommerlad, Professor of Law and Social Justice, University of Leeds The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies was one of the first institutions to host academic legal conferences as we know them - the WG Hart Workshops, and the predecessor workshops funded by the Ford Foundation. The Institute pioneered other initiatives within legal academia in the UK, in establishing one of the earliest doctoral programmes in law and specialist research methods training for legal researchers. This panel discussion explores and celebrates the role the Institute has played in changing the way legal academics engage with research and scholarship, in providing a neutral space to promote and facilitate research which develops the discipline and also engages with practitioners and with the wider world.