IPSA RC09 Work-in-Progress Session: Courts, Power, and the Rule of Law

Event details Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Location: Online — University of Texas at Austin Type: Arts / Performance About this event The IPSA Work-in-Progress Session on "Courts, Power, and the Rule of Law: Comparative Judicial Studies in Contemporary Context" explores new and emerging challenges for judicial systems. This workshop is convened by the Comparative Judicial Studies Research Committee (RC09) of the International Political Science Association (IPSA). Format The IPSA Work-in-Progress Sessions are online research workshops focused on specific themes. Each workshop focused a theme involves between 6 and 12 paper presentations, with each paper allocated 1 hour. This structure is designed to encourage in-depth discussions of each paper. Participation is limited to paper presenters and chairs. The workshops strive for regional and gender balance and include younger scholars, in accordance with the diversity policy in IPSA's Mission Statement. Theme This Work-in-Progress Session on "Courts, Power, and the Rule of Law: Comparative Judicial Studies in Contemporary Context" will be held online from 16-18 July 2026 each day from 13:00-17:00 UTC. The workshop will cover the broad field of Comparative Judicial Studies. This includes the comparative analysis of judicial processes, as well as the study of legal professions, the judiciary, legal doctrines, legal systems, and legal cultures. It also examines how these judicial processes relate to constitutions, executives, legislatures, political parties, federalism, political culture, and other sociopolitical dynamics. The workshop particularly welcomes contributions addressing new and emerging challenges for judicial systems, including issues such as the rule of law and war, judicial independence in fragile states, asymmetries of power between private and public actors, the relationship between courts and migration flows, and the backlash against women’s and minority rights. The ultimate aim is to enhance knowledge of both the shared and distinctive features of judicial systems across countries around the world. Papers adopting diverse disciplinary perspectives on the study of judicial systems, as well as innovative methodological approaches, are especially encouraged. Call for Papers Researchers are invited to submit a paper proposal by 6 May 2026 to participate in the workshop. The online sessions are intended exclusively for work-in-progress papers and will be kept confidential among participants. Final papers are not required. Submitted paper proposals will be reviewed by the convenors. Accepted papers will be grouped into sessions by the convenors, based on topical fit and the aim of fostering productive discussion. Participants are expected to actively engage in the workshop by presenting their work, offering feedback to others, and contributing to collective discussions. The paper proposal must be in English and should include: Paper title Paper abstract (250 word Official event details: https://calendar.utexas.edu/event/ipsa-rc09-work-in-progress-session-courts-power-and-the-rule-of-law