Call for Abstracts: The Legal Dimension of China’s Presence in Latin America

Deadline (abstracts): 15th Nov 2024

This Call for Abstracts is a component of the Project “The Legal Dimension of China’s Presence in Latin America: Opportunities, Risks, and Responses” co-led by Dr. Monika Prusinowska (University of Barcelona) and Dr. Daniel Sprick (University of Cologne) as a part of the Cologne International Forum Innovative Tandem Collaboration.

The Project seeks to investigate the understudied intersection of China’s growing influence in Latin America and its legal implications. While economic, social, and political aspects have received considerable attention, the complex legal landscape remains relatively unexplored. This Project is intended to create a space, which could seed a community of expertise on the nexus of China, Latin America and Law. It offers an opportunity to contribute to this emerging field of study. We invite both junior and senior researchers to participate.

About the Project Stages:

Abstracts and Workshop

Following the submission of abstracts, selected participants will be invited to a workshop held at the University of Barcelona, Spain (see the timeline below). The workshop offers an opportunity for participants to present their own research and deepen their understanding of the three key dimensions: Law, China, and Latin America. Experienced researchers will guide discussions, equipping participants with the tools to effectively research and analyze legal issues related to China’s presence in Latin America.

Paper Development:

At a later stage, Project participants will be invited to develop full papers in their respective research areas. The most promising submissions will be selected for presentation at a roundtable held in Cologne, Germany.

Publication:

A collective publication, overseen by the Project leadership tandem, will be developed. This publication is envisioned as a special issue of a journal or an edited volume.

Important Note Regarding Publication: Participation in the workshop in Barcelona and/or in a roundtable in Cologne is not a prerequisite for contributing to the collective publication. You can submit an abstract and develop a full paper even if you are unable to attend the workshop and/or the roundtable. Successful abstracts and subsequently developed papers will be considered for inclusion in the publication. Financial Assistance: Limited financial assistance may be available to support participation in the Project, including workshop and roundtable attendance. Please indicate your interest in financial assistance when submitting your abstract. In case of questions, please contact Dr. Monika Prusinowska: monika.prusinowska@ub.edu:

About the Call for Abstracts:

We encourage abstract submissions from scholars with a primary focus on legal issues, with expertise in either all three or any two of the following areas: China, Latin America, and the Law. Prior experience with all three fields is not required. Our goal is to foster a vibrant community of scholars exploring the complex legal and socio-political dynamics between China and Latin America. While we also welcome contributions from scholars with expertise in areas such as economics, international relations, or anthropology, the primary focus of this Project is on legal issues.

Submission Guidelines

• Research Areas: Potential research topics can include, but are not limited to:
o Legal Frameworks Governing Chinese Investments in Latin America
o The Role of International Law in China-Latin America Relations
o The Impact of Chinese Law on Latin American Legal Systems
o Global Governance Challenges Arising from China’s Engagement in Latin America
o The Foreign-related Rule of Law Concept and China’s Presence in Latin America
o As well as: energy transition, environmental protection, human rights, labour law, digital economy, dispute resolution etc. in the China/Latin America context
• Abstract Submission: Please submit a 300-word abstract outlining your proposed research by 15 November 2024 via the form: https://is.gd/ZOoI8Q

Provisional Timeline

• Deadline to submit the abstracts: 15 November 2024
• Abstract acceptance notification: by 30 November 2024
• Workshop in Barcelona: 10-12 February 2025
• Full Paper Submissions: by 31 March 2025
• Roundtable in Cologne: 15 May 2025

Selection Criteria

• Research originality and significance
• Clarity and coherence of the research proposal
• Potential contribution to the field of China-Latin America studies
• Alignment with the Project’s overall goals

In case of any questions, please contact: Dr. Monika Prusinowska: monika.prusinowska@ub.edu

We look forward to receiving your submissions and contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex legal landscape surrounding China’s engagement in Latin America.

We are currently exploring the possibility of offering a hybrid format for the workshop in Barcelona, combining in-person attendance with online participation. However, the final format of the workshop has not yet been determined. We will provide updates on the workshop format as soon as more information is available.

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