Call for Abstracts: MCLJ Annual Conference 2027, Future Normativities: The Foundations of Law and Political Community, Maastricht University [29 January 2027; Abstracts by 16 October 2026]

The Maastricht Centre for Law & Jurisprudence (MCLJ), a research centre based at the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University, invites abstracts for its Annual Conference 2027 on "Future Normativities: The Foundations of Law and Political Community". The conference will take place on Friday, 29 January 2027, at the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University in Maastricht.

The centre promotes research in legal philosophy, legal theory and (international) legal history, and the intersections between these fields. The conference aims to bring together scholars working in legal philosophy, jurisprudence, constitutional theory, political theory and related disciplines to reflect on the normative foundations of law and political organisation in changing social, institutional and transnational contexts.

As established legal and political frameworks face growing pressure from democratic backsliding, geopolitical fragmentation, migration, technological innovation, ecological crisis and the pluralisation of legal orders, the call asks what principles sustain, or should sustain, legal authority, political membership, solidarity and legitimacy, and how future political and legal communities should be imagined, constituted and governed. Jurisprudential, philosophical, historical and interdisciplinary contributions are welcome.

• The concept and authority of law
• Political membership, borders and belonging
• Solidarity, citizenship and democratic legitimacy
• Europe as a legal and political project
• Constituent power and institutional futures
• Historical lessons for future communities
• New forms of governance beyond the state
• Future global normativities

The themes are indicative; submissions are not limited to them.

The call is addressed to interested researchers. Both established scholars and early-career researchers are warmly encouraged to submit abstracts. The call states no nationality or institutional restriction, so researchers based in India may apply.

• An abstract of 500-1,000 words related to the conference theme, clearly outlining the contribution's main argument, methodology and relevance.
• Your name and institutional affiliation.
• A short biography of at most 150 words.
• Participants are welcome but not required to develop full papers for the conference.

The call for abstracts does not mention any registration or participation fee. Check with the organisers for practical details; the call says further information on the programme and venue will follow.

Email your abstract and short biography to e.couperus@maastrichtuniversity.nl by Friday, 16 October 2026, with the subject line "Abstract Conference 2027".

Successful applicants will be notified by November 2026. Further information on the conference programme and venue will follow in due course.