Dr. Kim Scheppele

Biography

Kim Lane Scheppele is the Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Sociology and International Affairs at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs and the University Center for Human Values. She has a notable background in sociology and law, specializing in ethnographic and archival research concerning courts and public institutions. Her research interests include sociological theory, comparative and historical sociology, political sociology, knowledge, and human rights. A significant portion of her work examines the rise and fall of constitutional government, particularly post-1989 in Eastern Europe. In the wake of 9/11, she analyzed how constitutions were impacted by anti-terrorism campaigns both in the US and abroad. Scheppele’s recent studies have focused on the challenges faced by democracies during crises, emphasizing the emergence of new autocrats and populist platforms that utilize the law to undermine constitutional institutions. She has received numerous accolades, including the Kalven Prize from the Law and Society Association, and was elected to prestigious bodies such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. With over three decades of teaching experience, she has held significant positions at various universities, including serving as founding co-director of the Gender Studies program at Central European University. Her publications have made a lasting impact on socio-legal studies and continue to contribute to discourse on democratic governance and law.

Research Interests

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Awards