Navigating Stormy Seas: People, Place and Perspectives in International Law
33rd Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law
Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Wednesday, 1 July – Friday, 3 July 2026
Co-hosted by the New Zealand Centre for Public Law
Call for Papers and Panel Proposals
Deadline: Monday, 16 February 2026
He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka
A stormy sea can be navigated
By adopting this whakataukī (proverb) to develop the theme of the conference, the Organising Committee is aiming to capture the zeitgeist of today’s international legal order, while drawing on a metaphor that is particularly apt for our gathering together on the shores of Moana Oceania.
The lyrical quality of the whakataukī should not beguile us into under-estimating the challenges. This may not be a passing storm. These stormy seas might be causing lasting destruction. We may have already suffered irreparable structural harm. Recognising all that, the challenges bring with them an opportunity to re-imagine – and re-build – whole new worlds, whole new ways of being, new communities, and new strategies. The challenges also invite us to listen and be attentive to other voices that may have been neglected. Even if we are not spurred to radical change, at the very least, the challenges might prompt us to think carefully about our traditional tools and re-examine our long-cherished assumptions.
We hope that this conference can provide the opportunity to imagine new worlds. In doing so, we ask if there is still a place for reform of the old system? Of the old ways of doing things? If we do embark on imagining new worlds, then what might the contours of new horizons look like? If we persist with the familiar, how might renewal or reform emerge? If we fail to adapt, then what lies ahead?
We look forward to welcoming participants to the 33rd ANZSIL Conference on the theme: Navigating Stormy Seas: People, Place and Perspectives in International Law and warmly invite proposals from any area of international law exploring these questions.
In the tradition of ANZSIL Conferences, the Conference Organising Committee will also consider proposals on international law topics not connected to the Conference theme and welcomes the submission of panel proposals from ANZSIL Interest Groups. The Committee particularly encourages non-traditional panel formats, including round-table discussions, or a Q&A panel with subject matter experts. The Committee is very happy to be contacted for questions regarding innovative panel suggestions (conference@anzsil.org).
ANZSIL aims to promote diversity in the international law community and strongly encourages submissions from Māori, Indigenous Australians and from individuals and groups traditionally underrepresented in this forum.
Submission of Paper Proposals
Those proposing papers for presentation at the Conference should submit:
- An abstract of no more than 250 words; and
- A biographical note of no more than 200 words (for inclusion in the electronic Conference program).
Please submit your paper proposal using the Call for Papers application link here: https://form.jotform.com/253346203464857
Submission of Panel Proposals
Submissions for well-constructed panels, especially those using innovative formats, relevant to the Conference theme are strongly encouraged. Those proposing panels for presentation at the Conference should submit:
- A synopsis of no more than 250 words, explaining the rationale, theme and format of the panel; and
- Three or four paper or speaker proposals, including in each case the information requested above (being a 250-word abstract of the paper, or explanation of what a speaker would contribute to the format proposed, and a 200-word biographical note).
Please submit your panel proposal using the Call for Panels application link here: https://form.jotform.com/253345890939875
Process and Dates
The closing date for proposals is Monday, 16 February 2026. The Organising Committee will endeavour to inform applicants of the outcome of their proposals by mid-March 2026. All presenters will be required to register for the Conference by early May to be included in the final Conference program. Further information about the Conference, including program and registration details, will be made available on the ANZSIL Conference page in due course.
Conference Fee
The conference fee will be confirmed in early 2026. We anticipate charging a registration fee (early bird) of approximately AUD440.00 for ANZSIL members/Speakers.
Registrations for the Conference will open in March/April 2026.
Alice Edwards Breakthrough Researcher Award 2026
ANZSIL is delighted to announce that it will be awarding the Alice Edwards Breakthrough Researcher Award to assist one or two early career researchers (or PhD students) to present at our 33rd Annual Conference.
The purpose of the Award is to encourage and foster the research of the most talented and promising early career researchers (or PhD students) from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific Islands whose research in international law is making, or is likely to make, a significant contribution to finding solutions to some of the world’s most pressing global or regional challenges. To that end, one or two awards will be made to assist in enabling early career researchers (or PhD students) to present at the ANZSIL Annual Conference.
Applicants should read the criteria for the Award here before submitting an application.
The application form is available here and the deadline for applications is Monday, 16 February 2026.
ANZSIL Conference Organising Committee 2026
