The South Carolina Law Review is excited to open submissions for the Volume 78 Symposium taking place February 18-19, 2027, at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law. The theme of this year’s Symposium, Congress’s abdication of powers, will focus on the historical development and modern implications of congressional abdication, as well as its effects on the separation of powers, democratic accountability, and constitutional governance. This is a broad theme; we seek a variety of perspectives exploring the diverse ways in which these topics connect and influence one another, including perspectives from policy and practice. The Symposium will feature a keynote speech, panel discussions, and paper presentations.
The South Carolina Law Review seeks original papers and/or presentations addressing topics at these intersections. We invite scholars, professors, practitioners, and policymakers to submit paper abstracts or proposals for presentations addressing the Symposium’s themes, including the administrative state, the New Deal’s influence on congressional power, the major questions doctrine, the potential revival of the nondelegation doctrine, the independence of executive agencies, the war powers, the budgetary process, and civic education. Even if your work does not precisely align with these topics, we encourage you to submit, as we aim to shape our Symposium with a wide range of perspectives and insights.
We are accepting submissions for articles to be published in Book 4 of Volume 78. Those who are selected to write will also be invited to present and participate in panels at the Symposium in February 2027. However, if writing for the Symposium is not possible, we are also interested in selecting participants and panelists who would like to attend and present but do not plan to submit a written work for publication.
Interested authors and panelists should submit a 500-word abstract to aagivens@email.sc.edu with the subject line “Congress’s Abdication of Powers Symposium Submission” by September 30, 2026, for consideration. We will notify selected participants no later than October 31, 2026, via email.
If selected for publication, a completed draft of 7,500 to 15,000 words (inclusive of footnotes) will be due to the South Carolina Law Review Editorial Board in January 2027. Accepted papers will be published in Book 4 of Volume 78 of the South Carolina Law Review forthcoming in May 2027. If you are selected as a participant who is not writing for publication, a final draft or outline of your presentation will be due to the Editorial Board in January 2027, as well.
We are committed to fostering a collaborative and engaging environment for all participants. We look forward to your submissions and an enriching dialogue on Congress’s constitutional role and the consequences of its abdication. Please feel free to contact me via email with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Sincerely,
Austin GivensSenior Symposium Editor, SCLR Vol. 78