Workshop: Writing and Publishing in the Law of the ECHR and other International Human Rights Systems

On 15 and 16 December 2025, the Academy for European Human Rights Protection of the University of Cologne is organising a workshop for early-career researchers. The workshop is entitled 'Writing and Publishing in the Law of the ECHR and other International Human Rights Systems'. The workshop will be hybrid (in person at the Academy for European Human Rights Protection in Cologne, as well as online). The deadline for submissions is 12 October 2025. Here is more information on the call for submissions and the workshop itself:

 

Background and Scope of the Workshop

In recent years, the pressures on human rights law and its associated institutions have intensified. Challenges posed by democratic and rule of law backsliding, digitalisation, migration and planetary environmental crises have forced international human rights courts and tribunals to develop strategic responses. Meanwhile, states have pushed for the reform of human rights treaties and, in certain instances, have withdrawn from these treaties altogether. Recognising the significance of this discourse, Early Career Human Rights Researchers have found themselves at the forefront of research on these phenomena, centring their research projects on human rights courts and tribunals, either in isolation or comparatively, and their respective responses. The Academy for European Human Rights Protection (University of Cologne) is excited to announce an upcoming workshop focussed on the process of writing and publishing in the context of the ECHR and other international human rights treaties, in particular the institutional responses to these challenges, with the overarching aim of enabling these Researchers to increase the visibility and impact of their work in their respective fields. 

The workshop has multiple objectives. It aims to address a range of questions central to effective publishing strategies in the law of the ECHR and other international human rights systems. The theoretical component of the workshop will particularly focus on the following challenges: How can researchers engage with comparative research and perspectives from other international human rights systems? How to write articles in the field of the ECHR from a critical perspective? Which types of articles on the ECHR and other human rights systems attract the interest of journal and book series editors? What do judges or members of international human rights bodies read?

The workshop has multiple objectives. It aims to address a range of questions central to effective publishing strategies in the law of the ECHR and other international human rights systems. It also aims to give Early Career Researchers an opportunity to discuss works in progress in small groups: while such work should be related to the broader theme of human rights, we very much welcome contributions from various disciplines and/or incorporating comparative or critical perspectives. Lastly, and following the inaugural workshop in February 2024, this year's workshop seeks to expand the network of scholars working in that field, thereby establishing a regular forum for exchange of ideas and best publishing practices.

 

Call for Submissions

We invite submissions from Early Career Researchers (broadly understood), working on human rights law and fundamental rights as well as other disciplines, including philosophy, history, political science, sociology and anthropology, addressing the various challenges international human rights systems are facing. Submissions may have a focus on a particular human rights system and/or adopt a comparative approach in their research. Alongside academic merit, the Selection Committee will also consider factors such as diversity and geographical representation in the selection process. 

Submissions should be in a single Word or PDF document and include the following: 

1. CV (including a list of publications, if applicable; max. 2 pages);
2. Letter of motivation (max. 300 words) explaining how the workshop could help improve their approach to writing and publishing and advance their scholarly career;
3. Indication of whether the applicant is planning to attend in person or online;
4. Optionally, an abstract of the work to be discussed in small groups (e. g., book project proposal, article, funding application, policy brief) on which the applicants wish to receive feedback (max. 500 words). This is not a compulsory element of the application process, and its omission will not in any way impact the selection. We very much welcome applications also from participants who do not wish to take part in the group sessions.

Applications should be submitted via email to publishing-humanrights@uni-koeln.de. The deadline is 12 October 2025 (Attention - deadline extended!).

Successful applicants will receive a written confirmation of acceptance by the end of October 2025. There is no fee to participate in the workshop, but participants will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements (should they participate in person in Cologne). To facilitate such costs, a late afternoon start (2 pm) on Monday, 15 December 2025, and a late afternoon finish (2 pm) on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, is envisaged.

Any further questions about the workshop should be directed to publishing-humanrights@uni-koeln.de.  

Organisers: Angelika Nußberger; Nikos Vogiatzis; Reza Khabook; Joseph Finnerty; Vandita Khanna; Matthias Hermes