32nd ANZSIL Annual Conference 2025

International Law: Silence, Forgetting and Remembrance

Australian National University
Canberra, Australia
Wednesday, 2 July – Friday, 4 July 2025

Call for Papers and Panel Proposals
Deadline: 10 February 2025

International law can often seem relentlessly caught in the present: focussed on immediate crises and treating current priorities as inevitable or common-sense. It can also, driven by its own logic and language, rule certain subject matters or experiences ‘out of bounds’ as being irrelevant or non-legal.

What is unknown to, or excluded from, international law? What doctrinal fields, subject matters, actors and objects, and approaches are we at risk of forgetting or ‘un-knowing’?  Once, universal disarmament, or at least arms limitation, was seen as a core goal of international law. Now, in a period of major international conflicts such goals once again appear to have a contemporary flavour and relevance. What can other forgotten or neglected histories of international law teach us about our present circumstances?  What do we most need to remember?

On the question of silence we may ask: Who is given a voice in international law? What subjects are marginalised as irrelevant by international law? Why are some subjects easier to speak about than others? Papers could explore the perception of the Global South finding its voice in international courts and tribunals in matters ranging from climate change to the Genocide Convention, the involvement of international courts in ongoing conflicts, and the continued failure of international law to give adequate protection to the natural environment in the Anthropocene.

The Organising Committee for the 32^nd  Annual Conference invites paper submissions and panel proposals on any area of public and private international law relevant to the Conference theme. This includes, but is not limited to, papers and panels that explore issues of contemporary relevance such as international law and Gaza, the Middle East, and Ukraine, climate change and refugee movements, an era of strategic competition and economic decoupling, and international litigation and dispute settlement through the lenses of silence, forgetting and remembrance.

In the tradition of ANZSIL Conferences, the Conference Organising Committee will also consider proposals on international law topics not connected to the Conference theme, and welcomes the submission of panel proposals from ANZSIL Interest Groups. The Committee particularly encourages non-traditional panel formats, including round-table discussions, or a Q&A panel with subject matter experts.  The Committee is very happy to be contacted for questions regarding innovative panel suggestions.

ANZSIL aims to promote diversity in the international law community and strongly encourages submissions from Māori, Indigenous Australians and from individuals and groups traditionally underrepresented in this forum.

Submission of Paper Proposals

Those proposing papers for presentation at the Conference should submit:

• An abstract of no more than 250 words (papers with abstracts in excess of 250 words will not be considered); and
• A biographical note of no more than 200 words (for inclusion in the electronic Conference program). 

Please submit your paper proposal using the Call for Papers application link below.

https://form.jotform.com/anzsilconference/2025-paper-proposal

Submission of Panel Proposals

Submissions for well-constructed panels, especially those using innovative formats, relevant to the Conference theme are strongly encouraged. Those proposing panels for presentation at the Conference should submit:

• A synopsis of no more than 250 words, explaining the rationale, theme and format of the panel; and
• Three or four paper or speaker proposals, including in each case the information requested above (being a 250-word abstract of the paper, or explanation of what a speaker would contribute to the format proposed, and a 200-word biographical note).

Please submit your panel proposal using the Call for Papers application link below.

https://form.jotform.com/anzsilconference/2025-panel-proposal

Process and Dates

The 2025 ANZSIL Conference will be in person, at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia on Wednesday 2 July – Friday 4 July 2025.

The closing date for proposals is 10 February 2025. The Organising Committee will endeavour to inform applicants of the outcome of their proposals by middle of March 2025. All presenters will be required to register for the Conference by early May to be included in the final Conference program. Further information about the Conference, including program and registration details, will be made available on the ANZSIL website at anzsil.org.au/events in due course.

Conference Fee

The conference fee will be confirmed in early 2025. We anticipate charging a fee of approximately AU$450 for ANZSIL members for the full conference.

Alice Edwards Breakthrough Researcher Award 2025

ANZSIL will be awarding the Alice Edwards Breakthrough Researcher Award for participation in the 32^nd ANZSIL Annual Conference.

The purpose of the Award is to encourage and foster the research of the most talented and promising doctoral students and early career researchers from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands whose research in international law is making, or is likely to make, a significant contribution to finding solutions to some of the world’s most pressing global or regional challenges. One or two awards will be made to assist in enabling doctoral students and early career researchers to present at the ANZSIL Annual Conference.

Details, including eligibility and benefits, are available here. The link to the application form is here. The due date for applications is 10 February 2025.