Call for Abstracts: Doctoral Workshop on Sustainability and Law in Context [Luneburg, Germany; 9 December 2026]

Sustainability is a key consideration and priority in contemporary legal and political contexts. It emerges in different settings, from "fair and sustainable migration" to "sustainable energy", but how does law influence sustainability and, at the same time, how is it shaped by its urgent demands? How do we understand and talk about "sustainability" in diverse legal contexts? Do the views on sustainability differ between the various areas of law? If so, could these different conceptions of sustainability learn from and inspire one another?

This doctoral workshop aims to bring together diverse and interdisciplinary perspectives on sustainability and law in context, to stimulate and initiate cross-field discussions and creative collaborations between different legal perspectives on sustainability. While grounded in legal scholarship, the organisers also welcome contributions from related disciplines engaging with sustainability through perspectives connected to governance, policy, politics, economics, philosophy, geography, psychology, or other interdisciplinary approaches. Participants are encouraged to think beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries and explore innovative approaches to sustainability-related challenges.

The workshop is an in-person event to be held on 9 December 2026 at Leuphana University of Luneburg, Germany.

The doctoral workshop is co-organised by PhD candidates belonging to the Sustainability & Public Law research project at the Research Centre for State and Law (SteR), Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands, and the Law and Transformation Programme at the Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law, Leuphana University of Luneburg, Germany.

Possible topics for presentations include, but are not limited to:

• Constitutional law and the rights of nature
• Sustainability and future generations
• Ecocide in (international) criminal law
• Environmental displacement and migration law
• Sustainable development
• Climate governance
• Environmental justice
• Corporate accountability
• Political ecology
• Sociolegal approaches to sustainability

Participants may present research stemming from their doctoral thesis, a research paper, a book chapter, or another work-in-progress project related to sustainability and law in context.

The call for abstracts is aimed at PhD candidates researching one or more aspects of the intersection between sustainability and law. PhD candidates focusing on different aspects and intersections of sustainability and law in context are encouraged to apply.

Applicants from related disciplines engaging with sustainability through governance, policy, politics, economics, philosophy, geography, psychology, or other interdisciplinary approaches are also welcome.

During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to present their research in a presentation of around 10 minutes in moderated thematic panels, and to engage in discussions with the other participants.

The workshop also presents an opportunity to connect with peers from law faculties throughout the Netherlands and Germany in a highly internationalised environment.

Applications are to be submitted through the official Google Form linked below. The application must consist of:

• A short description of the intended presentation, being an abstract of no more than 400 words
• A short bio of no more than 150 words containing the applicant's name, the year of study and the university affiliation
• The title of the intended presentation
• Name, e-mail address, university affiliation and year of study (1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year, or 4th year and above)
• Consent for the use of name and photo in event materials and consent to store personal data for event organisation

Applications must be submitted by 1 August 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by 1 September 2026.

Participation in the doctoral workshop is free of charge. Travel costs will not be reimbursed.