University of Cincinnati

What you'll study

This doctoral programme combines advanced coursework, rigorous methodological training and an extended supervised dissertation focused on gender, international and comparative law. Course work typically covers substantive and theoretical foundations alongside research methods. Typical topics and modules you may encounter include:

• Comparative Legal Methods: theory and practice of comparing legal systems, sources and institutions.
• International Human Rights Law: norms, enforcement mechanisms, and how rights frameworks address gender-based harms.
• Gender and the Law / Feminist Legal Theory: critical approaches to law, gendered legal histories, intersectionality and doctrinal critique.
• Transnational and Comparative Family, Migration and Labour Law: regulation of cross-border movement, care work, family law reform and labour protections through a gender lens.
• Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Law: gendered harms in conflict, reparations, truth processes and adjudicative responses.
• Comparative Constitutional Law: gender equality, anti-discrimination doctrines and constitutional approaches across jurisdictions.
• Advanced Research Methods: qualitative and quantitative methods, doctrinal research, archival methods, ethnography, and mixed-methods approaches applicable to legal scholarship.
• Seminars and Research Colloquia: regular seminars to present work-in-progress, receive feedback and engage with visiting scholars.

The programme structure generally includes an initial period of taught coursework and seminars, comprehensive or qualifying examinations to establish readiness for independent research, followed by focused dissertation work under the supervision of faculty with relevant expertise. Students are expected to produce a substantial doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to knowledge in gender, international or comparative law. Opportunities exist for interdisciplinary supervision and joint projects with related departments such as Political Science, Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and Global Affairs.

Entry requirements

Admission is research-focused and competitive. Typical requirements include:

• Academic qualifications: a first degree in law (e.g. JD, LLB) and a relevant postgraduate degree (e.g. LLM, MA, or equivalent) with strong academic performance. Exceptional candidates holding only a first law degree but with substantial research experience may also be considered.
• Research proposal: a clear, well-developed proposal outlining the research question, significance, methodology and how the project fits within gender, international or comparative law.
• Supervisor alignment: evidence of interest from a potential faculty supervisor or alignment with the research strengths of the law school and related departments.
• Supporting material: academic transcripts, curriculum vitae, writing sample (e.g. a seminar paper or master’s thesis), and letters of academic reference that speak to research potential.
• Language ability: proficiency in English is required; additional language skills may be recommended depending on comparative or fieldwork needs.
• Interview: shortlisted applicants are normally invited to an interview to discuss the proposal and research fit.

Some candidates may be expected to demonstrate prior training in research methods or undertake preparatory methods modules as part of their programme plan.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Law with a focus on Gender, International & Comparative Law pursue a range of careers that draw on deep research expertise and interdisciplinary skills. Common pathways include:

• Academic positions: tenure-track or teaching and research roles in law schools and university departments focusing on international law, human rights, gender studies and comparative law.
• Policy and research organisations: research fellowships and policy roles in think tanks, non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups working on gender justice, human rights, migration or labour rights.
• International institutions: specialist legal and policy roles in intergovernmental organisations, courts and treaty bodies addressing gendered harms and human rights compliance.
• Public sector and legal reform: positions in government ministries, equality bodies or legislative reform units shaping gender-sensitive law and policy.
• Strategic litigation and legal practice: roles in public interest law organisations, legal clinics and pro bono units pursuing impact litigation or supporting strategic cases.
• Consultancy and advisory work: advising on programme design, monitoring and evaluation, and policy implementation on gender and legal reform across jurisdictions.

Why study at University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers a research-rich environment with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across law, social sciences and humanities. The law faculty includes scholars working on international law, human rights and comparative legal studies whose supervision can support advanced projects on gendered legal phenomena. Students benefit from access to the university’s research centres, specialised collections in the law library and connections with regional and international legal practitioners.

The university supports doctoral training through seminars, funding and professional development that help candidates prepare for academic and non-academic careers. Its urban setting and partnerships with courts, NGOs and public agencies provide practical research and engagement opportunities, while cross-departmental links allow candidates to situate legal research within broader political, social and historical contexts.