Symposium Proposals
JCLC’s 2027 Symposium – Currently Accepting Submissions
The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (JCLC) will begin accepting symposium proposals during the Spring 2026 semester. Please contact chaviva.nicholas@law.northwestern.edu with any questions.
JCLC’s 2027 Symposium – Proposal Information
What to Include in Your Proposal
A strong Symposium proposal should do all of the following in at least 2-3 pages:
- describe the Symposium idea and its contribution to legal scholarship in as much detail as possible;
- list potential Symposium speakers and panelists that would add to the academic quality of the event;
- list potential authors who could write articles and/or essays for publication by the JCLC;
- provide the name and contact information of the proposed Symposium Organizer[s], who will serve as the point person for coordination and decisions with the the JCLC executive board; and
- include a draft budget outline and any secured or potential funding sources. All potential funding sources must be disclosed to the JCLC in the proposal.
How to Submit a Proposal
To submit a proposal, please send an email to chaviva.nicholas@law.northwestern.edu & jessica.phalen@law.northwestern.edu with your proposal and a copy of your CV(s) attached. Please have your email subject line start with “[JCLC Symposium Proposal]”. The JCLC will accept submissions until May 8, 2026.
Proposal Selection
After May 8, the JCLC will review all submissions. Organizers should expect that the JCLC may request further information or the opportunity to discuss the proposal in further detail. The JCLC will notify organizers whether they remain under finalist consideration by May 20, 2026.
The JCLC executive board will review each proposal based on:
- Connection to Criminal Law and/or Criminology
- Originality
- Timeliness
- Academic quality
- Societal impact
- Diversity of perspectives
Northwestern Faculty
This call for proposals is an open call made to the legal academic community. Nevertheless, to make the planning process easier, we encourage all proposals to include Northwestern faculty among their participants.
Publication of the Symposium Issue
The JCLC anticipates the 2027 Symposium will be held during the Spring 2027 semester, though we welcome proposals that aim for a Fall 2026 date. First drafts of symposium pieces would be due in early spring/late fall, with revised drafts due by the beginning of February 2027. Symposium pieces selected will be included in The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume 117, Issue 4, which will be published in fall of 2027 (date subject to change).
Publication is not guaranteed to any speaker and The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology retains full discretion in selecting pieces for publication in our print edition. Pieces should be around 10,000–20,000 words in length. The JCLC will offer publishing contracts to certain contributors based on the recommendations of the JCLC board and Symposium organizers. Questions should be directed to the Symposium, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Editor, Chaviva Nicholas, at chaviva.nicholas@law.northwestern.edu.