The International Law & Social Science (ILASS) Interest Group of the American Society of International Law (ASIL) and the International & Comparative Law Program at UCLA School of Law are pleased to host the second

Biennial Conference on International Law and Social Science

January 29-30, 2027 | UCLA School of Law

Call for Paper and Panel Proposals

International law has traditionally been grounded in doctrinal analysis, emphasizing treaties, customs, and judicial decisions. However, the growing complexity of global governance demands a more interdisciplinary approach.

Building on the first International Law and Social Science (ILASS) Biennial, this conference provides a space for presenting works-in-progress and engaging in sustained dialogue across disciplines, including law, history, political science, economics, anthropology, sociology, and other related disciplines. By integrating insights from the social sciences, participants will explore how international legal norms are shaped, contested, and implemented in practice.

The conference welcomes faculty, doctoral students (including JD, SJD, PhD), postdoctoral researchers, practitioners, and policy-oriented scholars and researchers. Through workshops, panels, and informal exchanges, it aims not only to showcase innovative research but also to strengthen an interdisciplinary community equipped to better understand and address the challenges of contemporary global governance.

The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2026. Submissions are collected via a google form available at this link. All work must be unpublished and in progress.

Paper Submissions

You may submit your paper for individual consideration. You will be asked to provide an abstract of no more than 500 words and confirm that the paper will not be published before the conference. You will also be asked to provide a short biography (200 words max) that includes your current affiliation, job title, and a short description of your background and interests.

Panel Submissions

You may work with others to submit a panel proposal around a theme, with 3-4 speakers plus a moderator. Panels do not necessarily require papers. Panels should respond to the broad themes identified in the call for proposals. The panel organizer should submit a proposal of no more than 1,000 words that explains the approach, anticipated content and format of the panel, and proposed speakers with their affiliation and field(s) of expertise. Where possible, speakers should already have confirmed their willingness to participate.

Please note that panel proposals may be combined or amended by the conference organizers to take into account the range of submissions.

Review Process & Timeline

Submissions will be peer reviewed with decisions and invitations to authors issued in late August/early September. Our goal is to accommodate as many papers as we can.

Pre-Conference Deliverables

Paper presenters will be required to upload a copy of their paper by January 3, 2027, to a protected site. Draft papers will be posted on a protected website, accessible to conference attendees.

Location & Date

The conference will be hosted by the International & Comparative Law Program at UCLA School of Law and will be held at UCLA Law in Los Angeles from January 29-30, 2027.

Registration Fee

The registration fee is expected to be no more than $150. Registration will open later in the summer. All presenters and attendees will be expected to register. The fee will cover lunches, coffee breaks, and a reception.

Visas and Travel

Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to process visa requests. Participants who need a visa to enter the United States must make their own arrangements. Virtual participation will not be possible.
Please understand that budget constraints prevent us from providing travel or other financial assistance to conference participants.

Accommodation

There are several hotel options in close proximity to UCLA Law School. A room block will be available at one of those hotels and more details will be available when registration opens later this summer.

We hope to see you in Los Angeles!