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Call for papers: XIV AIDP Symposium for Young Penalists

CALL FOR PAPERS
Criminal Law in the Age of Transitions
Between Sacred Cows and Core Values of Criminal Justice Systems

International Association of Penal Law (AIDP)

In recent years, the world has been marked by profound disruptions, crises, and transformations. The COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, the rise of extreme-right political movements, and the escalating effects of climate change, have tested the resilience of legal systems across the globe. Simultaneously, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and other technologies is reshaping society and the law in unprecedented ways. In light of these developments, it has become increasingly clear that the world is facing an era of transitions, one in which long-standing assumptions about the law, justice, and governance, are being re-evaluated. Criminal law and criminal justice systems, as a reflection of societal values and an instrument of control, are inevitably affected by these transitions.

Living through a period of transitions forces us to critically review what we once viewed as the “sacred cows” of criminal law—those long-established principles and practices that were considered beyond reproach. While this reassessment does not necessarily mean abandoning these values, it calls for a reflection on whether, and how, they need to evolve to remain applicable in our rapidly changing world. How should criminal law respond to technological developments that blur the lines of criminal responsibility? What role should it play in addressing transnational crises, from climate-related crime to new forms of political violence? And to what extent do traditional punitive approaches remain effective in ensuring justice in increasingly complex and interconnected societies?

The Symposium seeks to explore these pressing questions, fostering debate on the evolving role of criminal law at national, supranational, and international levels. Contributions from diverse legal traditions and interdisciplinary perspectives—including criminology, psychology, and political studies—are encouraged to shed light on how criminal law is adapting (or resisting adaptation) to the transformations of our time.

We invite the submission of abstracts that may address one of the following non-exhaustive topics and sub-topics:

1. Constitutional and legal foundations in transition
As criminal law adapts to new realities, constitutional principles and traditional legal frameworks are being tested. Topics of interest may include: (i) the shift towards preventive criminal law and the growing role of prevention in sentencing, and its implications for the protection of individual rights; (ii) the place of restorative justice; (iii) the underlying symbolism in European substantive criminal law; (iv) the pressure on fundamental principles such as the protection of the rule of law and the ultima ratio principle; (v) the theoretical foundations of criminal law in light of the expansion of its scope of application and the increase in punishment across various legal systems around the world.

2. Social and political challenges to criminal justice
Criminal justice systems do not operate in a vacuum but are deeply affected by the social and political contexts in which they function. We invite papers that explore issues such as (but not limited to): (i) the increasing cultural and political sensitivity in criminal justice, including the role of race, gender, and cultural differences in criminal proceedings; (ii) the challenges of crimmigration; (iii) the criminalization of violence and discrimination based on gender and/or against LGBTQ+ persons; (iv) the impact of a polarized, post-truth society on criminal justice, particularly in relation to diminishing trust in judicial institutions, the role of political influence on justice, and the erosion of human rights protections.

3. The evolving role of actors in criminal justice
The roles of key actors in criminal justice are changing in response to societal shifts. We invite papers that explore issues such as (but not limited to): (i) the growing influence of victims in criminal procedures; (ii) the transformation of the prosecutor’s role, particularly as a “public crime-fighter”; (iii) and the shifting dynamics of state versus private authority in enforcement and regulation.

4. Technological transformations in criminal justice
Advancements in digitalisation and artificial intelligence are reshaping criminal law. We invite papers that explore issues such as (but not limited to): (i) the increasing reliance on digital evidence and AI in criminal investigations and court proceedings, as well as the implications for privacy and fairness; (ii) the use of AI in crime prevention; (iii) the role of digital platforms in legal processes and the risks associated with the growing dependence on AI in criminal justice systems.

5. Environment and sustainability in criminal justice systems
The intersection of law and climate change protection is an evolving domain. It involves holding industries and governments accountable for climate change. We invite papers that explore issues such as (but not limited to): (i) the role of international criminal law in preventing large-scale degradation; (ii) effective enforcement across borders and challenges related to jurisdictional complexities; (iii) the sustainability of criminal justice systems and the balancing of punitive measures with rehabilitation and deterrence.

Call for Papers

PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career academics and professionals are invited to submit an abstract (length: max. 500 words) on these and related questions. Abstracts must be in English and submitted by 28 November 2025 to this email: youngpenalistsnl@gmail.com along with contact and affiliation information, and a short CV (max. 1 page).

Please note that selected participants will be expected to send a draft version of their paper before the Symposium (deadline: 23 March 2026). This will allow a more fruitful discussion amongst the panellists.

About the XIV YPC Symposium

This Symposium is the XIV Symposium organized by the International Association of Penal Law (AIDP) and by the AIDP Young Penalists Committee (YPC). It aligns with the scientific agenda of the AIDP for the 2024-2029 period, centred on “Core Values for Criminal Justice Systems”. The Symposium aims to gather contributions from young scholars across the four sections of the XII International Congress of Penal Law: Section 1 - The Place of Criminal Law in Our Times; Section 2 - Gender and Sexual Identity in Criminal Law; Section 3 - Rule of Law and the Independence of the Criminal Justice System; Section 4 - Climate Change and Criminal Law.

The Symposium will be jointly hosted by the Netherlands National Group of the International Association of Penal Law (Gezelschap voor Internationaal Strafrecht - GIS), the young section of the GIS (YOUNGIS), Maastricht University, and three research centres from Utrecht University (RENFORCE, UCall, and Montaigne). The Symposium will be held on 9 and 10 April, 2026 in Utrecht, the Netherlands (Johanna Hudig Building). The Symposium will mainly take place in person, but some presentations can be hybrid.

Selected papers presented at the Symposium will be published as a special volume of the RIDP Libri series.  

The scientific committee of the Symposium is composed of Gaetano Ancona, Alice Giannini, Isabelle Gibson, Roos Klomberg, Dawid Marko, and Domenico Rosani. The main purpose of this Symposia series is to foster a community of young criminal law scholars from around the world. 

Participation in the Symposium is free. However, the organizers cannot cover speakers’ travel and accommodation costs.

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