Call for Papers: Irish Association of Law Teachers (IALT) Annual Conference 2026 on 'The Future of Legal Education: Keeping People at the Centre', Queen's University Belfast [27-29 November 2026]

The Irish Association of Law Teachers (IALT), established in 1979 to advance legal education, legal research and the work of law teachers on the island of Ireland, holds its 2026 Annual Conference in the School of Law, Queen's University Belfast, on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November 2026, with a cultural outing on Sunday 29 November.

The theme this year is "The Future of Legal Education: Keeping People at the Centre." The IALT describes its conference as known for a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and many speakers use it to present work in progress.

• The IALT Council welcomes papers on all areas of substantive and procedural law and on any issue relating to legal education.
• Presentations are not restricted to the conference theme, although abstracts engaging with the theme are welcome.
• Participants are encouraged to propose panels on specific themes in any area of law or law teaching.

The plenary on Saturday 28 November is a moderated panel discussion on the conference theme, with:

• Prof. Ali Struthers (education and wider participation)
• Dr. Verona Ní Drisceoil (AI and assessment)
• Dr. Steven Montagu-Cairns, University of Leeds (liberating legal pedagogy)

• Submit an abstract of no more than 300 words, together with the paper title, through the IALT presenter form.
• The form also asks for your full name, email, institutional affiliation, any co-authors (names, emails and affiliations), your preferred attendance option (Friday and Saturday including the Gala Dinner, Friday only, or Saturday only) and your preferred presentation day, which the organisers note cannot be guaranteed.
• Deadline for abstracts: Friday 9 October 2026.

• Two scholarships are available to postgraduate students who wish to present a paper at the conference.
• Each covers accommodation, reasonable travel costs within Ireland and the conference fee.
• Applications are judged on the coherence, originality and topicality of the abstract. Previous winners may apply, but preference goes to new applicants.
• To apply, submit your abstract through the presenter form by Monday 5 October 2026 and tick the scholarship box, stating your paper title, institutional affiliation and an abstract of no more than 300 words.

Fees cover the conference, coffee breaks, lunches, dinners, receptions and the social outing, but not accommodation. Day-rate delegates pay extra for the Gala Dinner.

• IALT members: €195 / £170
• Fee including IALT membership (non-members): €215 / £188
• Day rate for members (Friday or Saturday, with lunch, no Gala Dinner): €115 / £100
• Saturday day rate for members, including the Gala Dinner: €150 / £125
• Discounted rate for postgraduate members: €100 / £90 (covers all events and meals from Friday evening to Sunday morning)

Non-members wanting a day rate or the postgraduate rate must also pay the membership fee of €20 / £18 per year. A "postgraduate member" means a research-degree student who is an IALT member, excluding staff employed full-time in a teaching or research role.

• Online through the IALT payment page.
• By cheque (euro or sterling) payable to the Irish Association of Law Teachers, posted to Dr Brónagh Heverin, Treasurer, IALT, Atlantic Technological University, Donegal-Letterkenny.
• If your institution is paying directly, contact Dr Heverin for an invoice. Payments made by an institution should state whom the payment is for and what it covers (days, and whether membership is included).
• For bank transfer or standing-order details, email the address given in the contact section.

• All sessions take place in the Main Site Tower, School of Law, Queen's University Belfast.
• Friday 27 November: parallel sessions from the afternoon, followed by a welcome reception in the Main Site Tower reception area.
• Saturday 28 November: parallel sessions, the plenary panel and roundtable, the IALT AGM (time to be confirmed) and the Gala Dinner at the Europa Hotel, about 15 minutes' walk from campus. Gala Dinner places are limited, and the organisers advise booking early.
• Sunday 29 November: cultural excursion in the morning (details to follow).
• The IALT is arranging a limited number of rooms at special rates with Belfast hotels on a first-come, first-served basis. Booking links will be sent out later.