Call for Papers: International Conference on Emerging Technologies in Criminal Justice Administration: Challenges and Opportunities [Hybrid, Kolkata; 14-15 January 2027; ISBN Edited Volume]

Xavier Law School, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, in collaboration with the Indian Society of Criminology, is organising a two-day international conference on “Emerging Technologies in Criminal Justice Administration: Challenges and Opportunities” on 14 and 15 January 2027. The conference will be held in hybrid mode (online and offline) at the university's New Town campus in Kolkata.

The concept note observes that artificial intelligence and digital technologies are reshaping policing, investigation and adjudication. They improve efficiency, evidence collection and judicial administration, and help counter cyber and transnational crime, but they also raise serious questions of privacy, human rights and fairness. With the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 now in force, the conference invites critical engagement with how technology should be governed in the criminal justice system.

The programme includes keynote addresses, plenary and technical sessions, paper presentations and panel discussions. Day 1 opens with the inauguration at 11 a.m. in Father Albert Huart Hall, Arrupe Building, with technical sessions after lunch. Day 2 is given to paper presentations and the valedictory session.

Xavier Law School (XLS) was established in August 2019 at St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, a Jesuit university founded in 2017. It offers B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), B.Com. LL.B. (Hons.), an LL.M. programme and a Ph.D. in law.

The Indian Society of Criminology (ISC) was established in 1970 at the Department of Criminology, University of Madras. It organises the annual All India Criminology Conference and publishes the Indian Journal of Criminology, a peer-reviewed journal founded in 1973.

• Chief Patron: Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata
• Patron: Rev. Dr. Xavier Jeyaraj, S.J., Registrar
• Convenor: Dr. Pratyusha Das, Associate Professor, Xavier Law School
• Co-Convenors: Dr. Rakesh Kumar Singh, Dr. Mitul Dutta, Dr. Rajdip Bhadra Chaudhuri and Dr. Asif Iqubal Shah

• Forensics in Law Enforcement
• Emerging Technologies and Cyber and Financial Crimes
• Criminal Investigation and AI
• Emerging Technologies in Courts and Judicial Administration
• Smart Prisons and Correctional Innovations
• Data Governance, Privacy and Human Rights
• Access to Justice and Digital Inclusion
• Use of Technology and Transnational Crime
• Technological Innovations and IPR Enforcement
• Metaverse and Criminal Justice

Papers may also address any other topic related to the broad theme of the conference.

Research papers are invited from students, research scholars, academicians, legal professionals, practitioners and other interested participants. Separate fees apply to South Asian and other international participants.

• Submit the abstract through the abstract submission form by 3 October 2026. Authors of shortlisted abstracts will be informed by email by 10 October 2026.
• After acceptance, register through the registration form and upload the full paper and proof of payment.
• Full paper: 3,500 to 4,500 words excluding footnotes, in Microsoft Word format only.
• Co-authorship is allowed up to two authors. Registration is mandatory for each author and co-author; a co-author who does not register and pay will not receive a certificate and will be removed from the abstract book and conference schedule.
• The paper must carry its own title, different from the conference theme.
• Cover page: title of the paper, the sub-theme, name(s) of author and co-author, institution, email address and mobile number.
• Formatting: Times New Roman, 12 pt main text, 10 pt footnotes, A4, 2.54 cm margins, justified. Citation: OSCOLA 4th edition.
• Submissions must be original and unpublished. Similarity up to 15% (with proper footnoting) and AI content up to 5% are permitted; papers that do not follow the guidelines will be rejected.
• At least one author must present (online or offline); no in absentia certificates are issued. Certificate requests are entertained only within one month of the conference.

• Students and research scholars (online): Rs 1,000
• Students and research scholars (offline): Rs 1,800
• Faculty and professionals (online): Rs 1,500
• Faculty and professionals (offline): Rs 2,000
• South Asian participants: USD 35
• Other international participants: USD 50

Payment is by NEFT/RTGS or QR code to the account given in the brochure (beneficiary: St. Xavier's University Kolkata Alumni Association, Canara Bank). The fee is paid only after your abstract is accepted.

Selected papers with academic merit may be considered for publication in an edited volume with an ISBN, subject to a review process. The Organising Committee decides which papers are selected for publication.

Submit your abstract through the official abstract submission form (a Google Form that asks you to sign in with a Google account) by 3 October 2026. Once your abstract is accepted, complete the registration form by 30 October 2026, attaching the proof of payment, and submit the full paper by 15 November 2026. For queries, write to the convenor at pratyushadas@sxuk.edu.in.