Zimmermann, Wim

My name is Wim Zimmermann, and I am a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Salzburg. Because my research interests lie at the intersections of international law and sociology, I have been wanting to come to Oñati for quite some time. I am glad that the opportunity finally presented itself for a wonderful research stay.

During my time here, I have been working primarily on a new project that addresses the role of government legal advisors in facilitating state violence. While legal advisors are often depicted as the "conscience" of governments, ready to stand up for international law in the face of blunt power politics, there are darker sides to their role that often remain shrouded in secrecy. Next to this, I have been working on my forthcoming monograph, provisionally titled “Beyond Indeterminacy: On Reputation and Interpretation in International Law”. It explores how actors present themselves to others through their engagements with international law, and what implications this has for the practice of international law. The institute has been an excellent, tranquil place to work on these topics.