Via H-Law, we have the following
Call for Papers:
Rethinking the World Order:
International Law and International Relations at the End of the First World War
Oxford, 31 August – 1 September 2017 (Apply by 31 March 2017)
The
horrors of the Great War and the desire for peace shaped scholarship in
International Law and International Relations (IR) during the late
1910s—a stimulating time for both disciplines. Scholars observed and
analysed political events as they unfolded but also took an active part,
as governmental advisors or diplomatic officials, in devising the new
international order. The Paris Peace Conference and the subsequent birth
of the League of Nations as well as the Permanent Court of
International Justice served as testing grounds for new legal and
political concepts. The end of the First World War was in many ways a
milestone for both disciplines, prompting scholars to reflect on the
consequences of the war on society, politics, and the world economy. How
could another world war be avoided in the future? How could states be
held accountable for violations of international law? What were the
preconditions for peaceful international governance? These questions led
to pioneering research on issues such as arbitration, sanctions,
revision of treaties, supra-national governance, disarmament,
self-determination, migration, and the protection of minorities. At the
same time, the study of International Law and IR also advanced in terms
of methodology and teaching, including new professorships, journals,
conferences and research centres.
A
century later, it is a good moment to reflect upon disciplinary
histories and revisit some of the theoretical and practical debates that
shaped the period from 1914 to 1945. The workshop conveners are
particularly (but not exclusively) interested in the following research
questions:
- Was the First World War a watershed moment for the development of International Law and IR?
- Which were the key debates in both disciplines? And how can they be re-interpreted today?
- What were the connections and/or dividing lines between the two disciplines?
- Did International Law and IR evolve similarly across different countries?
- Who were the principle actors, both individuals and institutions, in the respective fields?
- Which
role did International Law and IR respectively play in shaping
‘real-world’ policy? And to what extent were theoretical developments
shaped by political events?
- How did ideas float between academia and politics?
- How
successful were non-governmental organisations—such as academic
societies, arbitration clubs, political pressure groups, League of
Nations clubs, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),
etc.—in achieving their goals?
The two-day interdisciplinary workshop will be held at the
European Studies Centre (ESC) at St Antony’s College, Oxford from
31 August to 1 September 2017. We invite abstracts from
early career researchers and advanced postgraduate students in history, law, IR and other related disciplines
to share their research in a multi-disciplinary environment. By
facilitating this exchange we hope to open new avenues of research and
to encourage new approaches to the history of both disciplines. We are
planning to have six panels, one keynote address, and an open plenary
session that allows all participants to pitch their research projects.
Please submit your
proposal (including a title, 300 words abstract, and a short bio) to
jan.stoeckmann@new.ox.ac.uk by 31 March 2017.
Successful applicants will be notified by 30 April 2017. We are
currently working on logistical details, including reimbursements and
publication plans, and will keep you updated.
The
convenors are Dr Gabriela Frei, British Academy Postdoctoral Research
Fellow and Junior Research Fellow in History Jesus College, Oxford, and
Jan Stöckmann, DPhil Candidate in History New College, Oxford.
Contact Info:
Jan Stöckmann, New College, Oxford
