2nd NextGen Legal Scholars Conference – 11 March 2027

The Brussels Centre for Law, Government and Society (BruCeL) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is proud to announce the second edition of the NextGen Legal Scholars Conference (NLSC). This doctoral conference will take place on Thursday 11 March 2027 in Brussels (BE), featuring a fully in-person programme of keynote speeches and thematic panels. The conference offers young legal researchers the opportunity to connect with peers, share ideas, and present ongoing work or research proposals in an open and inclusive environment. 

NLSC 2027 invites doctoral and early postdoctoral legal researchers (within two years of completing their PhD) to present their findings, ideas and critiques regarding the place of solidarity in contemporary public law, be it from a doctrinal, comparative or interdisciplinary perspective. Once primarily understood as a political or even moral ideal, solidarity is progressively reflected in legal principles, legislative frameworks and judicial reasoning at national, European and international levels.  

In EU law, solidarity is mentioned among the founding values of Article 2 TEU and is particularly visible in migration and asylum law. In recent case law, the Court of Justice also linked the value of solidarity to EU citizenship. In international law, solidarity raises important questions regarding the right to self-determination, indigenous peoples, and the equal protection and enforcement of human rights. Solidarity also lies at the heart of labour and social security law. Topics include the right to strike and other social rights, collective bargaining, and progressive taxation. Finally, the growing urgency of climate change has brought new dimensions of solidarity to the forefront in environmental law. Climate displacement, environmental justice, and the extraction of minerals and natural resources all raise questions of responsibility between States, communities, generations and individuals.  

How to submit?

Please submit your abstract (max. 300 words, including the title) and a short biography (max. 150 words) via the registration form by 22 January 2027, 23:59 CET. Applicants will be notified of the outcome during the week of 25 January 2027. Participants are not required to submit a draft paper, and no joint publication is planned.

It is possible to attend the conference without presenting. Participation is free, but registration is required for both presenters and attendees. 

Questions?

For further information, please contact nlsc@vub.be.