The Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies brings together scholars of religion from a wide background, both internationally and in terms of their specific religious interests. This allows for broad engagement and is different from narrow specialist conferences. The great majority of past participants have found this approach rewarding and professionally helpful.
Typically, our delegates hail from different faiths, and discussion is conducted with openness and mutual respect. We do not shy away from controversy, either, regularly thinking about religion and politics – how religion affects political life, for example, in the USA, UK, Israel, and Muslim fundamentalist states, and how to enable pluralism and tolerance between societies with clashing ideologies.
The Oxford Global Law Symposium brings together lawyers, legal professionals, academics, researchers, and practitioners from around the world for a programme of presentation, discussion, and debate in Oxford.
Hosted at the Oxford Union, one of the world's most celebrated forums for debate, the Symposium offers something increasingly rare at large legal conferences: the opportunity to move beyond passive attendance and engage directly with colleagues from different legal systems, disciplines, and professional perspectives.
For generations, the Oxford Union has welcomed prime ministers, heads of state, leading advocates, public intellectuals, and influential voices to debate the defining questions of their time. For those who practise, teach, research, or shape the law, it provides an extraordinary setting in which to examine the legal questions defining ours.
The law is continually shaped by changing societies, institutions, economies, and relationships between nations. The Symposium welcomes discussion across the full breadth of legal thought and practice—from constitutional, criminal, civil, and commercial law to international law, human rights, public policy, dispute resolution, legal education, professional responsibility, and emerging areas of practice. Participants are encouraged to examine both enduring legal questions and contemporary developments, bringing different jurisdictions, disciplines, and professional perspectives into conversation.
Within the Oxford Union, the Symposium provides a forum for examining both enduring legal principles and emerging challenges—from the nature of justice and the limits of legislation to the responsibilities of the legal profession in shaping the institutions and laws of the future
PRESENT. DISCUSS. DEBATE.
Participants may engage with the Symposium in several ways.
PRESENT
Submit an abstract of approximately 250 words and lead a presentation and discussion on an area of law, legal practice, policy, or research. Presentations are not limited to traditional academic research; practitioner perspectives, comparative legal analysis, emerging legal questions, case-based discussions, and policy issues are welcomed.
DISCUSS
Attend as a non-presenting delegate and contribute your professional knowledge and perspective throughout the programme.
DEBATE
The Symposium will culminate in a signature Oxford-style legal debate at the Oxford Union, bringing participants together around some of the most compelling legal questions to emerge from the programme.
This is more than an opportunity to attend another legal conference. It is an invitation to present your ideas, challenge assumptions, exchange perspectives across legal systems, and take part in the tradition of rigorous debate for which Oxford is known.
THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY
Founded in 1823 at a time when the University of Oxford restricted students from discussing certain topics, the Oxford Union continues its tradition of free speech and open debate. For more than two centuries, influential voices have gathered here to debate the defining issues of their time. As a Symposium participant, you will take your place in that tradition—sharing ideas and engaging with lawyers and scholars from around the world.
About
For nearly two centuries, the Oxford Union has welcomed some of the world’s most influential voices, including Sir Winston Churchill, Malcolm X, Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Ronald Reagan and Benazir Bhutto to name a few. Now you will have the opportunity to stand where they stood, present your own ideas, and add your voice to a remarkable tradition of debate that has shaped conversations for generations.
Famous Speakers
Legal legacy is not only about what came before—it is about what we contribute next. The Oxford Union provides a remarkable setting to consider that responsibility, bringing together people who practise, study, teach and shape the law to exchange ideas that may influence their work, their institutions and the wider legal community.
Legal Legacy
SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT
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