About Notable Works
NOTABLE WORKS
Selected by members of the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford
In 2012 my friend and colleague Chris Flegg, Business School Librarian at SBS (Saïd Business School) invited me to a gathering to celebrate the launch of Critical Thinking – a collection of notable works chosen by the researchers and educators of the Saïd. This very happy and successful occasion fired my imagination, and I thought it would be a worthwhile project to share with the Law Faculty, enabling us to engage with our academic colleagues in a novel way.
Thus was born the Notable Works project, differing little in emphasis and intent from its inspiration, Critical Thinking. In this booklet we have a collection of literary and other works, nominated by 46 members of the Faculty of Law, who found the time, despite their heavy commitments, to reflect on varied influences that had an impact, helped shape their thoughts, perhaps provoked controversy or humour, or even guided them through the ceaseless flow of ideas and influences faced on a daily basis.
The wonderful submissions received by the team* working on this project are displayed on this website. They have also been collected in the Notable Works booklet, which is available from the Bodleian Law Library. We have been helped in our effort by the generosity of our colleagues in the Saïd Business School, who provided us with templates so that our efforts would complement the look and feel of what had been achieved already in another Social Sciences Division library.
These entries offer a different understanding of what helps make us who we are, and provide a reflective and diverse compilation. The listings mentioned will form a separate collection in the Law Library, and possibly give our future scholars inspiration and an occasional welcome diversion from serious study.
I am very grateful to everyone who found the time to contribute, and also to those who intended to, but were beaten by other deadlines, and have asked to be included another time. We have found the experience fascinating and rewarding, and we hope you enjoy reading the reasons behind this selection of Notable Works.
Ruth Bird
Bodleian Law Librarian
PS I shared some of my influences in the campaign to entice my colleagues to contribute. As I reflected on these, I realised that I am like a mother with many children, unable to select a favourite, and my admiration for those who contributed has increased even more!
*The project was realised through the excellent efforts of Law Library colleagues Penny Schenk, Lindsay Robinson, Ben Spiers, Margaret Watson and Hannah Chandler.