History

The Dutch Association for the Socio-Legal Study of Law (VSR) was founded in 1980 with the aim of advancing sociolegal studies in the Netherlands and beyond. The association was established to create a space for scholars from various disciplines—including sociology of law, legal anthropology, and legal psychology—who were interested in exploring the intersection of law and society.

From its inception, the VSR sought to build a vibrant community of sociolegal scholars. Over the years, the association has become a central hub for fostering collaboration and engagement within the sociolegal research community, connecting universities across the Netherlands, Flanders, and internationally, as well as collaborating with other relevant associations.

In its early years, the VSR published the Nieuwsbrief voor Nederlandstalige Rechtssociologen (NNR), which laid the groundwork for the association’s long-standing commitment to sociolegal research. In 1986, the Recht der Werkelijkheid (Journal of Empirical Research on Law in Action) was launched as the official journal of the VSR, continuing the tradition of interdisciplinary reflection on law and society.

Since 2010, Recht der Werkelijkheid has been published by Boom Publishers, offering a platform for in-depth exploration of topics such as sociology of law, legal anthropology, public administration, law and economics, and legal psychology. The journal remains an essential resource for sociolegal scholars, continuing the VSR’s mission to advance the study of law in its social context.

In 2020, the VSR, in collaboration with the ELS Academy, established the PhD School for early-career researchers interested in Law in Action and Empirical Legal Studies. This event, held prior to the annual VSR conference, provides PhD candidates with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of empirical research methods and connect with fellow researchers in the field.