Elisa Hoven

Professor Elisa Hoven is a distinguished academic at the University of Leipzig, Faculty of Law, specializing in criminal law, criminal procedural law, commercial and media criminal law. She holds a professorship focused on legal policy discussions and science communication, making complex legal concepts accessible to the public. Her work bridges the gap between academic legal theory and practical application in society.

Professor Hoven leads several significant initiatives including the Legal Lab "Law and Journalism," which trains law students to communicate legal findings to the public, and the Criminal Policy Circle that hosts regular discussions on current legal issues. She also co-hosts the podcast "Jetzt erst Recht" (Now More Than Ever) which addresses current topics in criminal law and policy.

Her research focuses on criminal law, sexual criminal law, restorative justice, and legal policy. Professor Hoven is particularly known for her expertise in animal welfare law and her contributions to discussions about reforms to sexual criminal law. Her work emphasizes making criminal law understandable to citizens, recognizing that when laws are not comprehensible, public trust in the justice system diminishes.

Professor Hoven's recent publications analyze coalition agreement reforms to sexual criminal law, cultural implications of criminal cases, and the intersection of politics and science. Her book "Dark Moments" explores the boundaries between perpetrator and victim, and between law and justice through the perspective of criminal defense lawyer Eva Herbergen.

Among her notable projects is the Legal Lab "Law and Journalism," where students write columns for the Leipziger Volkszeitung addressing legal questions from readers on topics like coronavirus transmission liability and pet ownership in rentals. The lab also produces a podcast examining criminal law topics from multiple perspectives with experts from various fields.

• Regular host of legal policy discussions for students and the public
• Founder of the Legal Lab "Law and Journalism"
• Co-host of the podcast "Jetzt erst Recht"
• Conducts research on criminal law, sexual offenses, and legal communication
• Advises on legal reforms, particularly regarding sexual criminal law
• Leads victim-offender mediation studies for the Saxon State Ministry of Justice

Professor Hoven actively engages with media and public discourse through numerous interviews and appearances, making her a prominent figure in German legal academia and public legal education. Her recent work includes analyzing coalition agreement reforms to sexual criminal law (August 2025), participating in "Scientics? When politics meets science" discussions, and presenting at the PaulinerFORUM on "Democracy and culture of debate" (May 2023).