[Call for Papers] Conference on Contemporary Challenges to the International Economic Order

Sciences Po Law School is pleased to invite submissions for a one-day academic conference devoted to examining the contemporary challenges confronting the international economic order in an era increasingly shaped by economic nationalism, geopolitical rivalry, and strategic state intervention.

Recent developments in global economic governance reveal mounting pressures on the legal structures that have underpinned international economic cooperation for decades. Trade and investment regimes are facing growing contestation; multilateral institutions are experiencing paralysis or fragmentation; and concepts such as national security, strategic autonomy, and spheres of influence are playing an increasingly prominent role in economic relations. Together, these shifts raise fundamental questions about the direction, coherence, and resilience of international economic law.

The conference seeks to provide a forum for early-career scholars, doctoral researchers, and academics to present and discuss current research engaging with these transformations. Contributions may address, among other issues, the effects of economic nationalism on investment treaty reform, the challenges facing the World Trade Organization, the emergence of sphere-of-influence logics over regions, resources, and markets, and the expanding use – or misuse – of national security exceptions in international economic relations. More broadly, the conference welcomes work that critically examines the evolution, reconfiguration, or contestation of the international economic order from doctrinal, theoretical, empirical, sectorial, or interdisciplinary perspectives.

The conference will be held in person at Sciences Po Law School on 15 June 2026, in tandem with the Intensive Doctoral Week. Participation is limited to one day and entails a commitment to present ongoing research and to share a draft article or working paper with fellow participants in advance of the conference to facilitate substantive discussion.

To apply, interested scholars are invited to submit an abstract of approximately 300-500 words outlining the research they intend to present by May 17, to ggarciasanchez@tamu.edu. Decisions will be announced by May 22nd.

Please note that the conference is unable to provide funding for travel or accommodation. However, accepted participants will receive an official letter of acceptance, which may be used for visa applications or funding purposes.

We warmly encourage submissions and look forward to fostering a rigorous and collegial exchange on the future of the international economic order.

Régis Bismuth, Professor of Law , Sciences Po Law School
Guillermo J. García Sánchez, Professor of Law, Texas A&M University School of Law, and Senior Research Fellow, Sciences Po Law School