This year’s annual conference, to be held virtually via Zoom, will explore areas where the law either overlooks or turns its back on those who need it the most. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Jason Beckett from the American University of Cairo.
Abstracts are invited for papers that address the concept of a deafening silence – the absence of protection afforded to those who arguably require the highest standard of legal protection. This broad theme can be tailored to different areas of the legal system, from international human rights to commercial law.
The organising committee, comprising postgraduate Kent Law School students Daria Istayeva, Jake Griffiths-Ellis, Nicoletta Komiati, Mohammad Nasir and Stela Nikova, are keen to encourage students to interpret the concept within the scope of whichever legal system they’re most familiar with. Daria said: ‘Examples could include; the void of the protection of human rights for refugees who are often pushed away from a sovereign states jurisdiction, environmental degradation and its implications on global health and wildlife, patent systems preventing global access to biotechnology and medication, and more. Our objective for this conference is to analyse the parallel between protection afforded and protection realised by those most vulnerable and the correlation to a position they hold within both international and domestic legal systems. As a critical law school, we aim to explore the question of why is it that those who seek protection the most, under the law ultimately receive the least? Should the law be subject to change?’
The annual conference offers an excellent opportunity for Kent LLM and postgraduate research scholars to exhibit their work, practice presentation skills and receive feedback from their peers as well as academics from the Law School. Papers are welcome from across all disciplines of law and from all stages of work, including research, early ideas, essays, dissertations, etc.
Areas can include but are not limited to:
- Environmental issues
- Global policymaking and strong institutions
- Human Rights
- Corporate Responsibility
- Law and Development
- Gender Inequality
- Access to healthcare and medicine
- Economic and Social Change
- Transnational Law
- International Trade Law
- Immigration Law
Submit your abstract (250 words max) by Tuesday 16 June to Lawgradconference@kent.ac.uk
