Call for Papers: 18th Annual Hugh & Hazel Darling Foundation Originalism Works-in-Progress Conference at University of San Diego School of Law [Feb 5-6, 2027]

The Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism (CSCO) is a research centre of the University of San Diego School of Law devoted to the study of constitutional originalism. Its members are Michael Rappaport, Hugh and Hazel Darling Foundation Professor of Law and Center Director; Lawrence Alexander, Warren Distinguished Professor of Law (Emeritus); Laurence Claus, Professor of Law; Donald Dripps, Warren Distinguished Professor of Law; Michael Ramsey, Warren Distinguished Professor of Law; Erin Sheley, Professor of Law; and Steven Smith, Warren Distinguished Professor of Law (Retired).

The annual Originalism Works-in-Progress Conference is the Center's keystone event and is made possible through support from the Hugh & Hazel Darling Foundation.

Each February the Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism holds its annual Hugh & Hazel Darling Foundation Originalism Works-in-Progress Conference. The conference includes approximately six unpublished papers on originalism, each with separate commentators, followed by questions from the other conference participants.

The 18th annual conference will take place on 5 and 6 February 2027 at The Dana Mission Bay Resort, San Diego, California, and will feature the presentation of a variety of new works concerning originalism. Proceedings on Friday, 5 February 2027 run from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and continue on Saturday, 6 February 2027.

A work-in-progress is a draft paper in article or book chapter form that is not yet published as of the conference date.

An originalism paper is defined broadly to be any paper that argues for or against originalism as a matter of theory, or that applies originalism to some aspect of the Constitution.

• Submissions should take the form of a draft paper or a one-to-three page abstract.
• Draft papers are strongly preferred over abstracts.
• The Center director and members will select an appropriate range of papers to be presented at the conference.
• Submissions should be sent by the end of the August preceding the February conference in which the author would like to participate, that is by the end of August 2026 for the February 2027 conference.
• Authors of the selected papers are asked to have the paper ready for circulation to conference participants in late January.

In addition to paper authors and commentators, the Center invites all scholars who do work on originalism to attend and participate in the conference by reading the papers and joining in the discussion. The call does not restrict submissions by jurisdiction, so scholars based outside the United States, including in India, may submit a work-in-progress.

The conference is also open to the public, and interested members of the public are invited to observe.

Admission to the conference is free. Advance registration is required for anyone attending. To register, email the Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism at csco@sandiego.edu.

Send your draft paper or one-to-three page abstract by email to Professor Michael Rappaport, Center Director, at mrappaport@gmail.com, by the end of August 2026. Registration to attend is handled separately at csco@sandiego.edu.