Recent law graduate, Japheth (Jeff) Monzon shares his reflections on his time studying the MSc in Socio-Legal Studies at Bristol, where he explored law’s role in society through an interdisciplinary lens. He shared some highlights including making a real-world impact through his work at the Black South West Network and how his course has helped shape his future ambitions in law and academia.
What inspired you to choose your programme at Bristol?
The Law School features numerous modules focused on the examination of law as a social phenomenon and its impact on people of varying identities. As someone academically and professionally interested in avenues towards social justice, and as a law student, the University of Bristol was an excellent beginning to my career. Moreover, the Law School is one of very few institutions that offer a course specific to Socio-Legal Studies – looking at law’s role in society.
Pursuing my Masters at the University of Bristol, in a city renowned for its progressive and radical outlook, was undoubtedly the best choice.
What did you enjoy most about studying your programme?
I have several joys that came from studying my programme, most of all being the incredible amount of flexibility and independence granted to students. In a topic as nebulous as Socio-Legal Studies, one is bound to encounter students with vastly different topics of interest with little to no similarities from each other. But being in such an intimate cohort with fledgling experts on so many different topics of interest, I learned far more than I thought I would.
This MSc was perfect for me – with the programme being situated in-between the Law School and the School of Social Sciences and Policy, I was granted a rare opportunity to break past my disciplinary boundaries and learn more from sociologists, political scientists, statisticians, and policy academics.
I also enjoyed how broad yet specific the programme was. It is specific in that it permits you to hyper-focus on your specific interest. But it is also broad in that it exposes you to a wide range of practices that will help develop you into a trained researcher.”
Tell us about your current role
I’m currently a Research & Policy Project Officer at Black South West Network, a leading racial justice infrastructural organisation based in the heart of Bristol.
As part of my role, I conduct community-centred research, advocate for the needs of racialised communities to policy and decision-makers, hold informative workshops to improve the autonomy of racialised communities, and support Black and Minoritised cultural heritage producers in sharing their work with the wider city.
What do you plan to do in the future?
In the future, I hope to become a qualified social protection lawyer specialising in discrimination cases and holding public institutions to account for disparate treatment of marginalised communities. Alongside this, I also plan on studying for a PhD in Socio-Legal Studies.
How did studying your programme at Bristol help you achieve your future goals?
I was given an incredible chance to think and work innovatively leading the creation of a Charter for Anti-Racist Co-Production as a research intern at Black South West Network. This took me beyond my comfort zone, having me organise focus groups, analyse large sets of qualitative data, and writing an academic charter that promotes best practice in community research.
The Bristol Model scheme, which paired students with organisations and charities in the city, was my introduction to my current line of work.
Without the University of Bristol and the Bristol Model, I would not be where I am now!
What makes Bristol a good city to study law?
For those interested in the role that law has played in the hands of the ordinary citizen, Bristol is a brilliant city to study law. With the South West’s only Law Centre in Bristol, as well as the massive role Bristol played in the creation of the Race Relations Acts, you are surrounded by a community who has been utilising the law to create positive social outcomes.
Congratulations on receiving your prize! Tell us about how that feels to be awarded this.
Winning the Best Performance Award for Socio-Legal Studies is an exhilarating experience. Before I started the MSc, I hoped that I would do good enough to earn a Distinction and to be awarded a prize. So, achieving both goals in my two years of study whilst also working a third-sector job has made all the hard work worth it. But most of all, I’m just happy I’ve made my family in the UK and the Philippines proud. They’ve always taught me that education is the most important thing they could impart, so demonstrating how much I’ve taken that advice to heart means the world to me!