Lecturer

Strategically located between the German-speaking countries and Italy, comparative law plays a central role at the University of Innsbruck. In addition to the focus countries Italy, Austria and Germany, the Institute deals with other legal systems as well as with the law of the European Union and international law. The examination of language and law is at the centre of the work of all Institute members, especially with regard to the German and Italian languages. In this sense, the Innsbruck Faculty of Law was also one of the main actors in the bilingual translation of the Italian codes of civil and criminal law as well as the civil and criminal procedure codes.

As far as the study of Italian law is concerned, the increasing internationalisation is taken into account in the new curriculum, which has been in force since 2018 and provides for a special module with an international focus. There is also a wide range of offers for students and doctoral candidates within the framework of the Erasmus+ mobility programme of the European Union and the other exchange programmes, in which the university participates. There is a choice of dozens of universities in various European and non-European countries. Participation in mobility programmes makes it possible to improve language skills, get to know new study and living realities and make contacts with people from all over the world. But not only that: international experience is also a decisive criterion when looking for a job - mastery of several languages and knowledge of and openness towards different cultures can play a decisive role.

As far as research is concerned, the long-established partnership between the Institute of Italian Law and the Universities of Padua and Trento provides a valuable framework for cooperation and comparative law between experienced academics and young researchers from different legal systems. In this context, cooperation with academic institutions within the European region Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino is of particular importance. In addition to institutional cooperation, the Institute is actively involved in numerous other forms of formal or informal cooperation with universities and research institutions in various European countries. This promotes, among other things, academic exchange, lecture series, joint research projects and seminars for students and doctoral candidates. The Institute also regularly welcomes Visiting researchers to Innsbruck for study and research visits.

The Institute's research output, both in the form of Publications and through participation in national and international research projects, conferences, working groups and public outreach initiatives, enjoys considerable attention in Italy and in the German-speaking world, as well as internationally.