Harold Laski and his Chinese Disciples

Abstract

On 2 July 2020, a virtual workshop entitled ‘Harold Laski and His Chinese Disciples: A Workshop on the Legacy of Laski’s Legal Philosophy’ was organised by Dr Ting Xu (School of Law, University of Sheffield; now Professor of Law, University of Essex). This workshop was supported and funded by Professor Xu’s British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship (2019-2020) on ‘Harold Laski and His Chinese Disciples: Using Biographical Methods to Study the Evolution of Rights’. This workshop provided the first opportunity for UK and Chinese studies scholars to discuss Laski’s long-neglected impact on China, contributing to reviving an interest in the significance and legacy of Laski’s legal philosophy. Speakers included eminent scholars who have conducted research in related areas, including Professor Roger Cotterrell (Queen Mary University of London), Professor Ross Cranston (London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)), Dr Peter Lamb (Staffordshire University), Professor Martin Loughlin (LSE), Professor Michael Palmer (SOAS University of London) and Professor Francis Snyder (Peking University School of Transnational Law). Twenty-five people participated in the workshop, including academics, students and several members of the public.