Refracting Lotus: Jurisdiction as a Kaleidoscope of International Law
Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (MPIL), Heidelberg.About
The Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (MPIL), Heidelberg, invites abstract submissions for the conference “Refracting Lotus: Jurisdiction as a Kaleidoscope of International Law”, to be held on 25-26 February 2027 in Heidelberg, Germany.
Marking the centenary of the celebrated Lotus judgment, the conference revisits jurisdiction as a foundational doctrine of international law and a structuring device of authority, examining its territorial and extraterritorial dimensions in the contemporary international legal order.
Thematic Strands
The conference invites contributions across four thematic strands:
- Jurisdiction as a Conceptual Prism
- The Territorial / Extraterritorial Dichotomy
- Sovereignty and Subjectivity
- Jurisdiction and the Methods of International Law
Eligibility
The call is open to all scholars. The organisers particularly welcome submissions from Global South scholars, early-career researchers, women, and members of underrepresented groups.
Submission Guidelines
Interested participants should submit an abstract of 500-700 words by email to lotus2027@mpil.de with the subject line “LOTUS2027”. The submission must include the paper title, author name, institutional affiliation, position, and email address.
Fee & Funding
There is no participation fee. Limited travel and accommodation support (up to two nights) is available for authors who submit a draft paper by 18 December 2026, though full coverage cannot be guaranteed.
How to Apply
Email your abstract (500-700 words) to lotus2027@mpil.de with the subject line “LOTUS2027” by 31 July 2026. See the official call page and the Call for Papers PDF for full details.