The Surrey Centre for Law and Philosophy, in collaboration with the Georgetown Center for the Constitution, has announced the Third Annual Legal Philosophy and Constitutional Theory Conference, scheduled to take place on 19–20 March 2027 at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom.
The conference brings together scholars working in constitutional theory, legal philosophy and related areas of legal scholarship. Researchers at all career stages are invited to submit their work, with the organisers particularly encouraging applications from junior scholars.
Conference Theme
This year’s conference is particularly interested in research examining the relationship between law, constitutional theory, artificial intelligence and human consciousness.
The organisers have highlighted the following areas:
AI and Human Consciousness
Submissions may explore philosophical, constitutional and legal questions arising from artificial intelligence and its relationship with human consciousness. This may include questions concerning the nature of consciousness, personhood, agency, responsibility and the implications of increasingly sophisticated AI systems for legal and constitutional theory.
AI, Expression and Conscience
The conference also welcomes work examining AI in relation to freedom of expression, conscience and related constitutional rights. Papers may consider how emerging AI technologies challenge existing understandings of expression, autonomy, conscience and individual rights.
The organisers are also open to submissions addressing other significant questions in legal philosophy, constitutional theory and related fields.
Opportunity for Scholars at All Career Stages
The conference is designed to provide a supportive academic environment in which researchers can present works in progress and receive constructive feedback from other scholars.
Selected papers will have the opportunity to receive commentary from a senior scholar in the relevant field, making the conference particularly valuable for researchers seeking to develop their work for future publication.
Junior scholars and early-career researchers are especially encouraged to apply.
Travel and Accommodation Support
Selected authors will receive travel support for attending the conference in Surrey, helping cover the cost of travelling to the University of Surrey.
The organisers also provide accommodation support for selected authors, making the opportunity particularly attractive to scholars travelling to the United Kingdom from outside Surrey or from overseas.
Applicants should refer to the official conference information for the precise terms and extent of the travel and accommodation support available to selected participants.
Publication Opportunity
In addition to presenting their research and receiving academic feedback, submitted papers will also be considered for publication in the journal Jurisprudence.
This provides selected researchers with an opportunity to develop conference papers into publishable academic work and potentially reach a wider international audience in legal philosophy and jurisprudence.
Important Date
Submission Deadline: 30 October 2026
Conference Dates: 19–20 March 2027
Venue: University of Surrey, United Kingdom
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to scholars working in:
Constitutional Theory
Legal Philosophy
Jurisprudence
AI and Law
Constitutional Rights and Emerging Technologies
Related fields of legal and political philosophy
Researchers from all career stages are eligible to submit their work. The organisers have specifically encouraged junior scholars and early-career researchers to apply.
Why Apply?
The Surrey–Georgetown conference offers an opportunity to present developing research before an academic audience, receive detailed feedback from established scholars, explore publication possibilities and build international academic connections.
For researchers working at the intersection of law, artificial intelligence, constitutionalism and philosophy, the conference provides a particularly relevant platform to discuss emerging questions that are likely to shape future legal scholarship.
Interested scholars should submit their papers or abstracts in accordance with the conference submission requirements before the 30 October 2026 deadline.
Official submission details: Conference Call for Papers
Key Highlights
Event: Third Annual Legal Philosophy and Constitutional Theory Conference
Organisers: Surrey Centre for Law and Philosophy and Georgetown Center for the Constitution
Dates: 19–20 March 2027
Venue: University of Surrey, UK
Submission Deadline: 30 October 2026
Themes: AI and human consciousness; AI, expression and conscience; constitutional theory; legal philosophy and related fields
Travel Support: Available for selected authors
Accommodation: Support available for selected authors
Publication: Papers will be considered for publication in Jurisprudence
Eligibility: Scholars at all career stages, with particular encouragement for junior scholars
If you want, I can also turn this into a Legal Maestros-style SEO article with a stronger headline, meta description, 5 SEO titles, and keywords.
