Interview with Dr. Kalika MehtaInterview Series with AMBSL Alumni

11 July 2026, by AMBSL P2P Network

In the second interview of the Interview Series with AMBSL Alumni, we are honoured to host Dr. Kalika Mehta. Dr. Mehta is an alumnus and a former scholarship holder of the AMBSL Structured Doctoral Programme (2018–2021) and the University of Hamburg (Leistungsstipendium für internationale Studierende, 2021–2022). She is currently pursuing her postdoctoral research at the Centre for Advanced Studies Reflexive Globalisation and the Law (RefLex) at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

In this interview Dr. Mehta shares her experiences and insights into her doctoral journey, and the knowledge she gained from it.  We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Mehta for openly sharing her experiences and advice with us.

The Interview Series are organised the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Doctoral Students Network of the Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law (AMBSL) – a self-organised network of doctoral students within the AMBSL Doctoral Programme. The P2P-Network aims to provide a platform for academic engagement among doctoral candidates and to promote exchange of information throughout their doctoral studies. The Interview Series has been designed to present the experiences of AMBSL alumni during their doctoral studies and professional careers, and to strengthen communication and networking between alumni and active members.

What motivated you to apply for the structured doctoral programme at AMBSL?

Two things drew me to the structured doctoral programme specifically. The first was the funding. Being able to pursue a PhD without constant financial precarity makes a real difference to the quality of the work one can produce. The second was the cohort model. There is something quite distinctive about doing a doctorate alongside peers rather than in isolation, and I found that prospect appealing.

What was your PhD research about?

My research examined strategic litigation as a practice for holding corporations accountable for their complicity in international crimes, approached through the lens of Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL). It sits in the paradox that TWAIL scholars know well: a deep scepticism towards the international legal order and, at the same time, an awareness that this framework remains a site through which marginalized peoples can contest injustice. The work looks at how non-state actors i.e. civil society organisations, navigate a structurally biased legal system in order to pursue long-term accountability objectives, particularly where international criminal law has failed to address the role of multinational corporations in atrocity crimes. It was published as a monograph in 2023.

In which ways did the AMBSL Programme support your doctoral research?

The funding was foundational. As someone from India, it would not have been possible for me to carry out this project otherwise. Beyond that, the peer-to-peer support was something I came to value a lot. Practically speaking, the programme was also very helpful in learning how to navigate the German academic system, which, especially for someone coming from outside, is not always transparent. Having access to guidance early on saved a lot of time and confusion. The regular opportunities to present work and receive structured feedback were also important.

Could you describe a challenge you encountered during your PhD and what you learned from it?

I was roughly halfway through the programme when the COVID pandemic began, and the community dimensions largely disappeared. Travel to conferences was not possible, which meant I submitted my thesis without having had the opportunity to present the work to wider scholarly audiences beforehand. I feel strongly that this is an essential part of any intellectual project: the chance to engage with potential readers before publication, to test arguments, to hear how people respond. That dialogue shapes the work in ways that is almost impossible for solitary writing. I have learnt from my experience since then, and it has made me more pro-active about seeking that dialogue and exchange.

What advice would you give to prospective or current doctoral candidates?

Following from my earlier response, my only advice would be to make the most of the community dimensions of the programme. Beyond that, I would resist the temptation to look for a single model of how a PhD should unfold. Every doctoral journey has its own trajectory, shaped by the research, the person, and the circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to a good PhD, and recognising that early spares one of unnecessary anxiety. This process is very difficult as it is. 

Could you describe your career journey since your time at AMBSL?

After completing my PhD, I moved to Humboldt University of Berlin. My first post-PhD position there was as Project Coordinator for a DFG-funded project at the Centre for British Studies. I subsequently joined them as a Lecturer as well, while I also worked part-time at the Law Faculty. Since September 2025, I have been a postdoctoral researcher at the newly established Centre for Advanced Studies Reflexive Globalisation and the Law (RefLex). Being at Humboldt has been incredibly helpful, as it has allowed me to retain continuity in professional relationships in Germany, but also at the same time build an international network through research visits, conferences abroad etc.