Congratulations to Berra Akcan (JD '24), the recipient of the Program in Islamic Law Writing Prize for her paper "Text, Image, and Ideology: Depictions of Law Through Indian Art History." The Dean's Office, in conjunction with the Program, awards this prize annually to the Harvard Law School student who has written the best paper in the field of Islamic legal studies or at the intersection of Islamic law and related fields during the current academic year. This interview spotlights Berra and her paper, her path to and time at Harvard, and the road going forward.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background – where are you from, where did you pursue your education? And why?
I am a Turkish-American student, originally from Avanos, Turkey, but grew up in Sugar Land, Texas. I pursued my undergraduate degree in the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po Paris, where I studied classics and political science. Going into college, I wanted to have an international education, and studying at two preeminent universities across the world, one in the U.S. and one in France, helped me do so.
What are your current research/legal interests? How did you first get interested in this?
My background set me up for a career in international law, but in law school, I became especially interested in art and entertainment law, which was not so surprising given my passion for classical literature and arts. I felt as though I could pursue these passions through a more practical lens by working with museums, auction houses, and other art organizations, which is why I began to pursue my research and even worked at the Harvard Art Museums while a student at HLS.
What have you done during your time as a student at HLS?
As a student, I have taken classes on international law, copyright, and family and gender law. I've worked on research projects relating to repatriation, museums, and copyright, while also serving on the boards of the International Law Journal, the Committee for Sports and Entertainment Law, and the Journal of Law and Gender. I was also a clinical student in the Family Justice Clinic my 2L spring.
What is your prize-winning paper about? Can you tell us a little bit about your approaches to this paper?
My paper is about depictions of law and legal norms in various artistic traditions throughout Indian history. Related to Islamic law, I study the Taj Mahal and how the Quranic calligraphy throughout its gardens and buildings represents Islamic legal norms and their consequences to its visitors. I drew a lot on my coursework on Indian art and architecture with Professor Vidya Dehejia while a student at Columbia, analyzing visual representations of traditions through an interpretive lens of religion, history, and art.
Where will you be heading after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on working in White & Case's New York office for a few years in their litigation department and hopefully going back into the art world afterwards. In the meantime, I will be spending many hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in my free time!
What is a fun fact about you?
I am an equestrian! I will be spending many hours this summer with my horse Hatun in Turkey while I study for the bar exam.
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