JuDem Annual Team Meeting

On 15 June 2026, the Judiciary and Democracy (JuDem) team came together in Berlin for its first in-person meeting, bringing together researchers from law and the social sciences alongside our practice partners. Hosted at C+Space Berlin, the meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the project's first eight months, review progress across work packages, and strengthen collaboration within the JuDem network.

The day began with discussions on the project's three core research areas: Institutional Autonomy, Legitimacy & Trust, and Strategic Activism. Team members shared updates on recent activities, including exchanges with activist lawyers in Istanbul and Ankara and conversations with judges in Berlin. These experiences have underscored the importance and complexity of the relationship between the judiciary and democracy, while generating valuable insights into the challenges facing democratic institutions and judicial systems today.

Beyond reviewing achievements and preliminary findings, participants explored connections across the different strands of research and identified emerging questions for future investigation. The interdisciplinary nature of the project enabled a rich exchange of perspectives and highlighted the value of collaboration between academic researchers and practitioners.

The afternoon sessions focused on planning activities for 2026–2027, including upcoming events, workshops, and collaborative initiatives in Germany and Turkey. Discussions also addressed strategies for sharing research findings with academic, professional, and public audiences, ensuring that the project's insights contribute to broader debates on democracy and the rule of law.

The meeting concluded with a collective reflection on progress to date and a shared commitment to the next phase of the project. It was also a welcome opportunity to strengthen connections beyond our regular online meetings and to reaffirm the collaborative spirit that drives JuDem forward.