Tilmann Altwicker

Prof. Dr. Tilmann Altwicker is an Associate Professor and Chair of Legal Data Science and Public Law at the University of Zurich's Faculty of Law. He leads the Center for Legal Data Science (CLDS) and previously held an SNSF professorship (2017–2023). His research focuses on applying data science to legal data, including statistical and machine learning methods to analyze judgments, legislative acts, and legal trends. He earned his doctorate in law from the University of Mannheim (2010) and a Habilitation in Public Law from the University of Basel (2018). His work bridges law, statistics, and digitalization, emphasizing evidence-based legal studies.

Education:

• PhD in Law (Dr. iur.), University of Mannheim (2010)
• Habilitation (Venia Legendi) in Public Law, University of Basel (2018)
• Diploma in Applied Statistics, ETH Zurich (2017)
• LL.M. in Human Rights, Central European University (2005–2006)

Research Interests:

Altwicker's work centers on legal data science, including the collection, analysis, and ethical use of legal data. He explores intersections of law with statistics and machine learning, particularly in empirical legal studies. His projects address digitalization's impact on legal knowledge production, human rights interpretation, and transnational security law.

Key Contributions:

• Pioneer in applying quantitative methods to legal research, such as analyzing ECtHR decisions and Swiss trademark opposition proceedings
• Leadership in the CLDS to advance legal data science as a field
• Educational initiatives, including courses on legal data science and statistical text analysis

Awards and Grants:

• SNSF Ambizione Research Group Leader (2013–2017)
• SNSF Professorship (2017–2023)
• Peer Review Prize, European Journal of International Law (2020)

Professional Activities:

He serves as a Review Panel Expert for EU COST and has held visiting professorships at the University of St. Gallen. His work spans empirical legal studies, international human rights law, and security law, with frequent contributions to interdisciplinary conferences and publications in top journals like the European Journal of International Law and Artificial Intelligence and Law.