Network of Insolvency and Restructuring Scholars

The Network of Insolvency and Restructuring Scholars (NIRS) is a collaborative academic initiative that brings together scholars working in insolvency, restructuring, turnaround, and related areas of commercial and corporate law across the United Kingdom. Launched by a group of leading academics, including Oriana Casasola, Emilie Ghio, Bolanle Adebola, Eugenio Vaccari, and John Wood, NIRS seeks to foster a vibrant scholarly community dedicated to advancing research, supporting innovative teaching, and strengthening engagement between academia, policymakers, judges, insolvency professionals, and the wider restructuring community.

The network provides a platform for intellectual exchange and collaboration among established and early-career researchers. By facilitating workshops, research seminars and informal discussion forums, NIRS aims to encourage critical debates on contemporary developments in insolvency and restructuring law and practice. Particular emphasis is placed on developing interdisciplinary perspectives, promoting comparative and international research, and responding to the complex challenges presented by economic, technological, and regulatory change.

NIRS also recognises the importance of pedagogy and seeks to enhance teaching excellence by sharing resources, best practices, and innovative approaches to legal education. Through mentoring opportunities and academic networking, the initiative supports the development of the next generation of insolvency and restructuring scholars.

More broadly, the network aims to strengthen the visibility and impact of insolvency and restructuring scholarship within legal and policy debates. By creating opportunities for collaboration and dialogue, NIRS contributes to a deeper understanding of the role that insolvency and restructuring frameworks play in promoting economic stability, business rescue, creditor protection, and sustainable commercial activity. As the field continues to evolve, NIRS provides an inclusive, dynamic forum for scholars to exchange ideas, develop collaborative projects, and shape the future direction of insolvency and restructuring research.

Project aims

A central aim of the project is to build and sustain a supportive and intellectually vibrant community of scholars working in insolvency and restructuring law and related disciplines. The network seeks to create opportunities for meaningful collaboration among academics at all career stages, from doctoral researchers and early-career academics to established scholars. By fostering regular dialogue, sharing research, exchanging teaching practices, and developing collaborative projects, the initiative aims to strengthen scholarly engagement within the field and reduce the isolation that can arise within specialised areas of legal research. The network also seeks to promote interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives, encourage mentoring and professional development, and facilitate connections between academia, policy, and practice. Through these activities, the project aims to cultivate an inclusive academic community that advances knowledge, supports innovation in research and teaching, and enhances the collective impact of insolvency and restructuring scholarship.

Impact

The project is expected to make a significant contribution to insolvency and restructuring scholarship in the United Kingdom by building a sustainable network of researchers in this field. By bringing together academics from different institutions and career stages, the network will foster collaboration, reduce fragmentation within a specialised area of legal research, and create opportunities for joint publications, grant applications, and interdisciplinary projects. The initiative is also expected to enhance the quality of teaching and learning through the exchange of pedagogical practices and educational resources. Beyond academia, the network aims to strengthen engagement with policymakers, judges, regulators, and insolvency practitioners, thereby increasing the visibility and practical impact of scholarly research on insolvency and restructuring law. In the longer term, the project is expected to serve as a recognised forum for debate on emerging legal and policy challenges, support early-career researchers, and contribute to evidence-based law reform and policy development.