SIU Law Journal Symposium (2027) - Call for Abstracts & Speakers
Human Trafficking: Legal Frameworks, Victim Protections, and Emerging Challenges
Friday, April 2, 2027 - SIU Simmons Law School, Carbondale, Illinois
The SIU Law Journal invites abstract submissions for its 2027 Symposium on human trafficking. This topic spans criminal law, immigration, labor rights, technology, juvenile justice, and international human rights. We welcome submissions from scholars in any discipline whose work engages this topic.
We also welcome those who are not seeking to publish with the SIU Law Journal but would be interested in presenting at the symposium. This could include but is not limited to prosecutors, immigration attorneys, victim service providers, and others in related fields whose work engages directly with human trafficking. These speakers may submit a shorter abstract describing what they would like to present on, in place of a full paper abstract.
The editors interpret these themes broadly and encourage scholars and speakers whose work touches on any dimension of human trafficking law and policy to apply, even if their proposed topic does not fall squarely within the categories listed below. Suggested submission topics include, but are not limited to:
- Enforcement & Prosecution - criminal prosecution frameworks, transnational/Palermo Protocol issues, technology and dark web trafficking
- Immigration & Labor - T/U visas, guest worker vulnerabilities, labor vs. sex trafficking distinctions
- Children & Vulnerable Populations - Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST), juvenile misidentification, safe harbor laws
- Survivor-Centered Justice - victim culpability and expungement, trauma-informed legal standards
How to Submit: Email lawjourn@siu.edu by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, including:
- Working paper title
- Abstract describing your proposed contribution: 300-500 words for paper proposals (including the central argument), or 200-300 words for presentations not intended for publication
- Whether you are seeking publication in the SIU Law Journal
- Contact info (name, affiliation, address, phone, email)
- CV/resume
- Brief author bio
Selected authors and speakers will present at the symposium on Friday, April 2, 2027, in Carbondale, Illinois. Travel, lodging, and a $500 honorarium will be provided. Final papers are due Summer 2027 for publication in a special Fall 2027 issue.