Call for Papers: Theory Forum at ASIL Annual Meeting 2026, Washington D.C.: Submit by April 3

The American Society of International Law invites submissions for its Theory Forum at the ASIL Annual Meeting 2026.

About the Organiser

The American Society of International Law (ASIL) is one of the most prominent global institutions dedicated to the study, development, and promotion of international law. Established to foster scholarly engagement and dialogue among academics, practitioners, policymakers, and students, ASIL plays a central role in shaping contemporary discourse on public and private international law across jurisdictions.

Through its conferences, publications, and specialised interest groups, ASIL provides platforms for critical engagement with emerging legal theories and global governance challenges. The ASIL Annual Meeting, held each year in Washington, D.C., is widely regarded as one of the most influential gatherings in the field of international law, bringing together scholars and professionals from across the world to discuss pressing legal developments.

Participation in ASIL forums offers contributors an opportunity to engage with internationally recognised experts and present research within a global academic setting.

About the Theory Forum

The International Legal Theory Interest Group of ASIL has announced a call for submissions for its Theory Forum, which will be held as part of the ASIL Annual Meeting 2026 in Washington, D.C. The forum is designed to showcase works in progress that engage with questions of international legal theory in a broad and interdisciplinary manner.

The Theory Forum provides selected participants an opportunity to present developing research projects and receive feedback from scholars working in the field of international legal theory. Unlike conventional conference panels that often require completed papers, this forum encourages early-stage or evolving research that raises theoretical claims about international law and its structure, interpretation, or institutional functioning.

The event will feature presentations of two to three selected works, followed by structured discussion and audience interaction. This format enables authors to refine their arguments through scholarly engagement and constructive feedback from specialists in international legal theory.

The forum is particularly suitable for researchers exploring foundational questions about international law, jurisprudence, normative frameworks, or theoretical approaches influencing global legal systems.

Nature of Submissions

The organisers invite submissions that develop claims relating to international legal theory in a broad sense. Contributions may address conceptual, methodological, philosophical, institutional, or doctrinal dimensions of international law.

Submissions may engage with:

• Theoretical foundations of international legal systems
• Normative approaches to global governance
• Jurisprudential debates in international law
• Critical or interdisciplinary perspectives on international legal structures
• Comparative theoretical approaches across legal traditions
• Institutional legitimacy and authority in international law
• Emerging theoretical frameworks responding to global legal challenges

Participants whose proposals are selected will be invited to circulate a draft paper or extended abstract to members of the interest group prior to the forum for discussion purposes.

Format of the Event

The Theory Forum will take place during the ASIL Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., on:

23 April 2026
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

The forum will be conducted as an in-person academic session. Selected presenters will participate in a moderated discussion format with time allocated for audience engagement and scholarly feedback.

Due to the structure of the ASIL Annual Meeting, remote participation will not be available. Authors must be able to attend and present their work in person if selected.

Eligibility

The call for submissions is open to scholars, researchers, practitioners, and students working in the area of international legal theory. Contributors are not required to be members of the International Legal Theory Interest Group to submit proposals.

Applicants at various stages of academic or professional engagement with international law are encouraged to apply, particularly those developing research projects that would benefit from structured scholarly feedback.

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Important Dates

Submission deadline: 3 April 2026
Notification of selection: 9 April 2026
Draft paper or extended abstract circulation deadline: 14 April 2026
Event date: 23 April 2026

Applicants should ensure availability for in-person participation at the ASIL Annual Meeting if selected.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is particularly suitable for:

• Researchers working on international legal theory
• Scholars developing interdisciplinary approaches to global law
• Doctoral candidates and early-career academics
• Practitioners engaging with conceptual questions in international law
• Students pursuing advanced research in jurisprudence or public international law

Participation in the Theory Forum allows contributors to present developing research before an international academic audience and receive feedback that can strengthen future publications or conference presentations.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants must submit:

• A short description of the proposed work
• Indication of the stage of progress of the research
• Institutional affiliation
• Confirmation of ability to attend the ASIL Annual Meeting in person on 23 April 2026

Applications should be sent via email to:

mjdurkee@wustl.edu
rliss@uwo.ca