About

 

 

 

Sociology of Authoritarian Law: Insights from Central Asia (SOCIAL) is a Horizon Europe project funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) programme. The project runs from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029 with a total budget of €4,579,286.40.

The project is coordinated by Lund University (Sweden) and brings together a large international consortium consisting of 12 beneficiary institutions and 21 partner organizations from Europe, Central Asia, and beyond.

SOCIAL is a comprehensive research and doctoral training network that examines the relationship between law, society, and governance in authoritarian regimes, with a particular focus on Central Asia. The project seeks to understand the structural obstacles to democratization and good governance by analysing how law operates, gains legitimacy, and shapes social compliance in authoritarian contexts.

By focusing on the sociological dimensions of law, SOCIAL explores how legal norms, institutions, and practices function not merely as instruments of control but also as mechanisms through which authoritarian rule is stabilized and reproduced. Through comparative and field-based research, the project aims to generate both theoretical insights and policy-relevant knowledge that can inform democratic governance strategies.

SOCIAL adopts a strongly multidisciplinary approach, integrating perspectives from sociology of law, political science, public administration, and international relations. In doing so, it contributes to academic debates on authoritarianism while simultaneously supporting evidence-based policymaking.

Marmara University participates in SOCIAL as a Beneficiary Partner and serves as the National Coordinator for Türkiye, with a total project share of €324,630. As the project is at its initial stage, no secondments have yet been implemented. Marmara University is expected to play an active role in research activities, ethical oversight, reporting, and data management throughout the project lifecycle.