In recent years, increasing globalization and rapid technological developments have made international politics and legal institutions more critical than ever. But changing circumstances around the world, such as the rise of ardent nationalism, have placed international law in a precarious position, as scholars routinely call its efficacy into question. Accordingly, on Friday, February 26, 2021, the Chicago Journal of International Law will convene scholars from around the world to host a novel symposium, titled "The Transformation of International Law Scholarship." Professors Tom Ginsburg, Adam Chilton, and Daniel Abebe will present a lead essay outlining the social science approach to international law, one which emphasizes empiricism, skepticism, and normative restraint. Professors Eric Posner and Jack Goldsmith will offer reflections on their book, The Limits of International Law. Scholars from across the globe will share their perspectives on international law scholarship, how it developed, and where it will go in the future. Join us on Zoom on Friday, February 26 from 1 pm to 6 pm C.T.

Schedule

1:00 pm: Introduction

1:15 pm: Introducing the Social Science Approach to International Law and Its Applications
Daniel Abebe, The University of Chicago Law School
Adam Chilton, The University of Chicago Law School
Tom Ginsburg, The University of Chicago Law School
Matthew Erie, University of Oxford
James Gathii, Loyola University Chicago School of Law

2:30 pm: Bringing the Social Science Approach to New Frontiers
Olabisi Akinkugbe, Schulich School of Law
Emilia Justyna Powell, University of Notre Dame
Weijia Rao, Antonin Scalia Law School

3:45 pm: The Limits of International Law and the Limits of Social Science
Jack Goldsmith, Harvard Law School
Eric Posner, The University of Chicago Law School
Mary Ellen O’Connell, University of Notre Dame Law School
Anu Bradford, Columbia Law School

5:00 pm: The Internal Aspect of International Law
Yifeng Chen, Peking University School of Law
Simon Chesterman, Dean, National University of Singapore Faculty of Law
Gregory Shaffer, University of California, Irvine School of Law

Participants
Daniel Abebe, University of Chicago Law School
Adam Chilton, University of Chicago Law School
Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago Law School
Olabisi Akinkugbe, Schulich School of Law
Anu Bradford, Columbia Law School
Yifeng Chen, Peking University School of Law
Simon Chesterman,  National University of Singapore's Faculty of Law.
Matthew Erie, University of Oxford
James Gathii, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Bing Bing Jia, Tsinghua Law School
MaryEllen O'Connell, University of Notre Dame Law School
Eric Posner, University of Chicago Law School
Jack Goldsmith, Harvard Law School
Emilia Powell, University of Notre Dame
Weijia Rao. Antonin Scalia Law School
Gregory Shaffer, UCI Law

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://uchicago.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvfu-grD8uHNT542uPdVwre2MXSsxSNnWd