PhD in International Law: A Beginner’s Roadmap

[Ana Srovin Coralli has written her PhD Thesis entitled ‘The Crime of Enforced Disappearance: Unpacking Omission Liability and Continuity’ at the Geneva Graduate Institute and has worked as a Teaching Assistant at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the Geneva Graduate Institute]

Over the past few years, many Master’s and LLM students have approached me and said things like, ‘Ana, I really want to do a PhD in International Law … but I do not know where to start’. The most common questions were: How do I choose a supervisor and institution? How do I find the right topic and get the funding? What should I do if my application is rejected? Many years have passed since I was in a position to reflect on these questions, but I clearly remember that most of the time, I felt overwhelmed. I hope this blog post will provide useful tips for those trying to embark on a PhD journey. Sometimes, knowing that we have all felt lost at some point can be supportive in itself!

Which Professor and Institution?

Conversations usually start as follows: ‘I really want to do a PhD with Professor X, but Professor X told me to speak with Professor Y.’ Then, when I contact Professor Y, they tell me to contact Professor Z, and so on. This vicious circle leads back to the first professor (Professor X). With respect to the described situation, my general comment is that there is no universally applicable rule for choosing, approaching and ‘conquering’ a supervisor.

My advice would be to choose a mentor who is a good fit for you. Above all, this means that they are interested in supervising your work, and that the interaction between you is encouraging and supportive. One of the main reasons why my PhD has been such a positive experience is the strong bond I have with my academic mentors and the deep academic and personal respect I have for them. Of course, I am perfectly aware that there are many situations where your preferred supervisor is unavailable for XYZ reasons. However, in such a case, I believe it means they are simply not the right person for you, or that the timing is not right. If it is the latter, it may be worth having an honest conversation and asking if they are available to supervise you the following year – but only if you feel strongly about having them as your supervisor. Otherwise, remember that everything happens for a reason and consider an alternative!

Another important tip relates to the manner of communication when establishing the contact or proposing a PhD to a potential supervisor. I cannot stress enough how important the manner of approach is. Professors are busy and frequently overwhelmed with a billion things, including emails from students already enrolled, let alone potential candidates. Try to find your own personal yet genuine way of speaking to them, either via a short email (where I would encourage you to suggest meeting for a coffee to meet each other and, only perhaps, briefly discuss your PhD ideas, rather than immediately bombarding them with all your thoughts on what you wish to do in a PhD) or via a short, spontaneous chat. For instance, you could try to catch them for a few seconds at a larger event after the formal part.

Some institutions function differently: instead of previous agreement between supervisor and student, they request students to apply to the program or even prohibit you from contacting your potential supervisor. In such a case, the institution in which you wish to carry out your PhD may be the key factor in your decision. The choice of institution may be equally relevant for a number of reasons. Most common ones are the funding available for PhDs at the institution, its reputation in your specific field, personal reasons such as your family or partners, career prospects (never underestimate the power of networking!) and, in my case, the possibility of acquiring work linked to the PhD (for instance, the position as a Teaching Assistant) and the overall programme to which your PhD is attached. Another important factor for some might be the possibility of attending events in international law and feeling part of the community of PhD fellows.

Regarding the choice of institution, I cannot recommend enough that you ‘exploit’ all your sources to the maximum. Search the internet, ask around and speak to people you do not know. Most people are incredibly warm, nice and willing to help. Never hesitate to send an email, especially to PhD students who are already enrolled at a certain institution. Knowledge is there to be shared, and life is simply better when we help each other. So, ask, and then take responsibility for responding when others ask you in the future!

The ‘Perfect’ Topic

Let us be honest about two things: first, there is no ‘perfect’ topic. Second, even if there was one, you would not have stuck to it – you are most likely to change your topic throughout your PhD. I would advise you to be curious and explore beyond your immediate interest when defining topics. I would also advise avoiding being harsh on yourself when defining the topic – a PhD proposal is really about showing your research interest and capacity to write and define a certain legal issue. It is not about solving the entire world.  Also, a good topic is one that ‘follows your heart’, not the one that feels trendy because everyone is writing about it. Finally, never feel shy to ask others what they think of your own sense regarding the topic that you identify! I cannot sufficiently emphasise the value of feedback– it truly is the secret recipe to success.

What about the Money?

Another common issue is the lack of understanding of how funding works. This issue is, in a sense, ‘unresolvable’ because each PhD funding opportunity is different. Sometimes, funding is available as part of the PhD position. However, many PhD programmes require you to obtain your own funding. Even if they do not, you should consider whether you want to undertake side work while doing your PhD. Personally, I believe that working while doing a PhD is usually positive, as it broadens your horizons and enriches your vision. At the same time, it might be challenging (and not necessarily helpful to the quality of the final result) if your second job is full-time and unrelated to the topic of your doctoral thesis. One way is also to learn by trying: for instance, you could try to combine a scholarship (if existent, of course) in the first and the final year of the PhD, with part-time work for the remaining time of your PhD. This way, you can stay focused during more sensitive periods (first and last year) when you are actually trying to define the issue, or somehow get out of it for good!

Rejection

Another common complaint is that people worked really hard on their proposal, only to be rejected without any explanation as to why. This means that they do not know what to fix. My key tip in this regard would be to share the draft with friends, and if possible, people who are already enrolled on a PhD programme (ideally at the institution to which you are applying). You should also be aware that there may be institutional dynamics that render your proposal unacceptable from the outset. I am not suggesting that you should blame external factors and not try to understand how to improve your proposal; quite the opposite. I always advocate working as hard as possible and continuously seeking ways to improve. However, I am trying to say that you should be aware that some things are simply out of your hands!

Persistence and Finding Your Own Path

If I could pass on two ‘willing tips’ to future generations, they would be persistence and understanding that each path is different. Regarding persistence, ask yourself why you want to do a PhD. If your desire is genuine and strong, try to pursue it, but not at the expense of your mental health. If one option does not work out for any reason, allow yourself to be disappointed. However, never give up; persevere! If you feel you can no longer find the strength, it simply means you have not looked deep enough yet. With regard to the differences in our paths, my advice would be to remain true to yourself and your feelings. I must warn you that feeling constantly confused is part of the process, and recognising what you truly want is not easy. Try to learn to recognise the best deal for you, which may not be the same as for others.

PhD Journey is Much More than ‘Just’ a PhD

My final thoughts for those considering a PhD in International Law are that it will be hard – that is unavoidable. Yet it can also be a beautiful experience that gets to the heart of your wishes, expectations and limits, as well as how to handle them. It is also a profound way of getting to know your curiosity and its limits. Moreover, remember that a PhD is so much more than an intellectual exercise. One of its strongest assets is that it fosters friendship. Every good product in life is the result of teamwork, which is why I love co-authoring so much. You may meet people who will play a key role in your intellectual growth and who will also nourish your personal side.