Rainer Maria Kiesow

Rainer Maria Kiesow is a Professor of Law, Vice-President in charge of Research at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), and Director of the Georg Simmel Centre for Franco-German Research in Social Sciences (UMR 8131). He holds a Chair titled 'The Order of Law' and has extensive academic leadership roles, including directing doctoral programs and international research projects. His academic career spans institutions such as the Goethe University Frankfurt and the University of Bremen.

Education:

• LL.B. and LL.M. from Goethe University Frankfurt (1982–1988), including studies at Paris II Panthéon-Assas (1985–1986).
• Doctor of Laws (Dr. jur., summa cum laude) from Goethe University (1995), with a thesis on legal naturalism.
• Two habilitation theses (2003/2007) in legal history, theory, and private law.

Research Interests:
Kiesow specializes in legal theory, history, and philosophy, with a focus on law's intersection with literature, sociology, and politics. His work explores foundational questions such as the relationship between law and judgment (evident in his translation of Carl Schmitt’s Law and Judgment), legal ethics, and comparative legal cultures. He co-founded journals like Grief and Myops, emphasizing critical discourse in legal scholarship.

Grants & Leadership:
He has managed major projects like the Franco-German Doctoral College 'Unterschiede denken' and contributed to the Cluster of Excellence 'Formation of Normative Orders'. His administrative roles include membership in the EHESS Scientific Council and leadership in the French Institute of History in Germany.

Labs/Teams:
As Director of the Georg Simmel Centre, he oversees interdisciplinary research on legal and social sciences, fostering Franco-German academic collaboration. His work integrates historical analysis with contemporary legal challenges, such as integrity in academia and the ethical dimensions of legal research.