About the Opportunity / Organizer
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, alongside the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), IIFT, under the aegis of the WTO Chairs Programme, is hosting the International Academic Research Conference titled "Beyond The Text: Re-Imagining International Trade through a Gendered Lens". Scheduled for December 15–16, 2026, at CNLU Patna, this conference critically evaluates the gender neutrality of global trade rules and fosters multidisciplinary dialogue on integrating gender equality across global value chains.
Key Responsibilities / Competition Scope
Selected participants will present original research papers analyzing the intersections of gender and international trade. Key sub-themes include:
- Feminist Approaches to International Law (FAIL) in trade law
- Digital Trade, AI, and Gender Equality
- Women’s Access to Trade Finance, Credit, and E-commerce
- Mainstreaming Gender in Bilateral and Plurilateral Trade Agreements
- Barriers to Women's Participation in Global Value Chains
- Disability, Inclusion, and Fourth World Approaches to International Trade Law
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Open to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students, academics, researchers, policy makers, and legal practitioners.
- Submissions must be original and unpublished research work.
- Co-authorship is allowed up to a maximum of two authors.
- In-person participation is required at CNLU Patna (online participation permitted only in exceptional cases).
Stipend, Perks & Awards
- Publication Opportunity: Selected high-quality papers will be considered for publication in a Special Issue of the peer-reviewed CNLU Journal of International Trade and Investment Law (published by Thomson Reuters) or an edited book by a reputed international publisher.
- Registration Kit & Hospitality: Includes conference kit, reading materials, lunch, refreshments, and complete access to all academic sessions across both days.
How to Apply / Registration Details
Interested scholars must submit an abstract of 350 to 500 words along with a mini-bio (maximum 150 words per author) via email to tradegender@cnlu.ac.in.
- Email Subject Line: WCP2026 Patna: Abstract Submission
- Abstract Deadline: October 5, 2026 (11:59 PM IST)
- Notification of Acceptance: October 10, 2026
- Registration Deadline: October 18, 2026
- Full Paper Submission: December 5, 2026
- Registration Fee: ₹3,000 per author for Indian nationals (Waived for foreign participants).
