Call for papers: Disrupting Tradition: Pedagogical Innovation in Legal Education

Hosted by the Futures of Legal Education and Practice Research Cluster, at The Open University Law School.

• Conference Date: Tuesday 10th March 2026
• Format: Online (One-day conference)

Legal education is at a crossroads. As technology, society, the university landscape and the legal profession evolve at an unprecedented pace, law schools face the urgent challenge of rethinking traditional pedagogies to prepare current law students for the future. This one-day free online conference, hosted by the Futures of Legal Education and Practice Research Cluster at The Open University Law School, will explore bold, creative, and disruptive approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment in legal education.

We are delighted that Professor Jane Ching from Nottingham Trent University will be delivering the keynote address.

We invite proposals for 20-minute presentations, followed by Q&A, that critically engage with the theme of Disrupting Tradition: Pedagogical Innovation in Legal Education.

Themes and Topics

We welcome papers from scholars, practitioners, and educators that address, but are not limited to, the following areas:

• Technology-Enhanced Learning – harnessing digital tools to transform legal education
• Flipped Classrooms & Blended Learning – reimagining in-person and online delivery
• Experiential Learning – clinics, simulations, and practice-based approaches
• AI-Driven Assessments – opportunities and ethical considerations
• Breaking Barriers – widening access and supporting diverse learners
• Broadening Participation & Inclusion – fostering equity and belonging in legal education
• Law Schools and Social Justice – rethinking the role of legal education in society
• Employability & Future Skills – preparing students for an evolving legal profession

We particularly encourage contributions that challenge orthodoxies, propose radical rethinks, or highlight innovative practices.

Submission Guidelines

• Abstract length: Up to 300 words
• Submission deadline: 16th January 2026
• Format: Please include a short biographical note (max 100 words) with your submission.
• Where to submit: Please email to [email protected] 

Provisional Timeline

Contact

For further information or queries, please email [email protected]