Third International Workshop on Gender Issues in Philosophy of Law and Legal Reasoning (GePhiL2026)

SW 67– Third International Workshop on Gender Issues in Philosophy of Law and Legal Reasoning (GePhiL2026)

Convenors: Jessica Holl; Diogo Sasdelli

Contact: jessica.holl@uni-erfurt.de

Interdisciplinary research on the intersection between Gender Studies and Law has been the focus of increased attention from scholars of various fields. Recent advancements in Gender Studies, particularly those stemming from Queer and Feminist Theories, have given rise to new paradigms for the analysis of various aspects of normativity. This has profound implications for all areas of Practical Philosophy, including the Philosophy of Law. A gender approach to legal theory and methodology, as well as to philosophy of law, requires a thorough examination of the subjects selected for investigation, as well as the development of these fields, particularly with respect to the methodology employed. An understanding of law that critically questions the foundations of its own structure, and therefore does not postulate man (and man alone) as being the sole measure of all things (frequently presented as a neutral parameter), plays an essential part in the task of achieving social, political, and economic gender equality. Such a perspective is imperative in rethinking legal theory in the context of the evolving challenges faced by global societies, in accordance with established principles of rule of law, democracy, and social inclusion.

In light of the interdisciplinary character of the subject matter, and in continuation of the discourse initiated in previous editions of the International Workshop on Gender Issues in Philosophy of Law and Legal Reasoning (IVR2022, Bucharest and IVR2024, Seoul), the Third International Workshop on Gender Issues in Philosophy of Law and Legal Reasoning (GePhiL2026) will address the manifold epistemic-theoretical, ethical, and methodological concerns that emerge from a gendered approach to Philosophy of Law and Legal Reasoning. Furthermore, the discourse on gender-related legal issues raised by emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, shall be addressed.

Therefore, GePhil, in its third edition, aims to address the following research questions:

• How do issues arising from the field of Gender Studies contribute to the development of Legal Theory and Philosophy of Law?
• What are the implications of a transversal gender perspective upon the law?
• What are the implications of Feminist Ethics on the moral dimension of law (e.g., Natural Law Theory, Human Rights, Non-Positivism, Radbruch’s Formula)
• How does a gender perspective on Legal Theory challenge universalist and objectivist Theories?
• How do gender issues reflect on Legal Methodology and/or legal logic?
• What are the inter-relations between gender issues, Legal Theory, rule of law and democracy?
• Do gender studies offer possible alternatives to deal with current challenges of the legal theory in the face of changing problems of the world?
• Gender, queerness, and discriminatory technologies
• Sexuality, gender and privacy / data protection
• Gender and good (digital) governance
• Legal/Moral aspects of Sex-Robots
• Love, sexuality, family and dating apps and its regulation

The Workshop invites contributions that approach these and related questions from various perspectives, especially Legal Theory, Philosophy of Law, and Gender Studies. Accepted papers will be presented and discussed during the workshop. The subsequent publication of the accepted papers is intended.

Registration of proposals:

All interested applicants are hereby invited to submit an abstract of no more than 500 words and a brief academic curriculum vitae of no more than 200 words by April 15, 2026 (1st round) or by May 25, 2026 (2nd round). In addition, applicants must complete the registration form provided on the IVR 2026 website according to the schedule provided by the Conference Organizing Committee. Abstracts shall be sent to jessica.holl@uni-erfurt.de

Approval will be confirmed and communicated to the relevant parties until April 25, 2026 (for the 1st round) and May 30 (2nd round).

The workshop will be conducted in English.