The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Journal of Constitutional Law invites scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders to submit paper proposals for our 2026 Symposium volume recognizing the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Full drafts are welcome, but paper abstracts are also permissible.
The hybrid Symposium event will take place at the law school and on Zoom in February or March 2026. Given our location in Philadelphia, PA, the JCL Symposium offers a unique opportunity to explore the constitutional impact of this document just steps away from the location of its signing. We are thrilled to partner with the National Constitution Center, a nonprofit organization that serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate.
The JCL Board is particularly interested in papers exploring the contemporary relevance of the grievances listed under the “history of repeated injuries and usurpations” section of the Declaration. For example, authors may consider connecting a theme—such as the rule of law, separation of powers, trial by jury, naturalization, standing armies, taxation or trade—to modern legal debates and recent caselaw.
Please submit through Scholastica. The deadline for proposal submissions is September 1, 2025.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Symposium Editor, Zoe Verni, at zverni@penncareylaw.upenn.edu.