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Following the successful 7th edition of the Young European Law Scholars (YELS) Conference held at the University of Ljubljana, the 8th annual YELS Conference will be held on 3-4 July 2025 at Utrecht University. 

Conference Theme

The European Union (EU) is currently facing many multifaceted challenges with among others rising extremism and misinformation, increasing digitalisation, wars at the doorstep of the EU, trade conflicts and climate change effects. In this context, transitions are often needed to address these challenges, for example, making societies more sustainable and increasing the safety on online markets.

At the same time as we strive to address these challenges, the EU aims to maintain its core values, such as democracy. As a cornerstone of the EU, democracy is enshrined in its treaties and reflected in its institutions and policies. However, the practical realization of democratic values within the EU continues to present numerous challenges and opportunities.

This conference seeks to delve into the multifaceted nature of democracy as a founding value of the EU in times of transition, examining its theoretical underpinnings, practical applications, and the challenges it faces.

Submissions

Submissions on any aspect of this theme are welcome, theoretical and empirical perspectives. We encourage submissions of abstracts which engage with law and regulation from various disciplines such as law, political science, governance studies, European studies, and interdisciplinary studies. We also encourage submissions focusing on sectoral fields of law and regulation such as democratic participation and control in EU decision-making processes and legal reforms (e.g., EU environmental law, the Common Agricultural Policy, EU consumer law, EU economic and fiscal reforms, EU competition law, EU trade law, human rights, etc.). For more information see Call for papers: Democracy in times of transition in the European Union.

Organization

The organizers will aim to partially cover travel and accommodation costs for the speakers, but no guarantees can be made at this point. Further information will be offered at a later date.

Participation in the conference is free of charge. General registration will open in spring 2025. If you have questions about the event, please contact Margje Camps (m.a.l.m.camps@uu.nl).

Following the conference, we will explore opportunities to publish the conference papers, either as part of a special issue in a peer-reviewed academic journal, or as a self-standing edited volume.

Conference Conveners

The conference conveners are Margje Camps (m.a.l.m.camps@uu.nl), Clara Colonna (c.v.colonna@uu.nl) and Thomas Verellen (t.e.verellen@uu.nl).