The Department of Philosophy is hosting a two-day conference (April 16-17, 2026) exploring emerging challenges for liberal democracy. The event will feature keynote lectures by Arash Abizadeh (McGill) and Will Kymlicka (Queen’s).
We invite submissions addressing democracy’s normative foundations, contemporary challenges, and prospects for democratic renewal. Topics may include (but are not limited to) democracy’s justification, the boundary problem, legitimacy, rights in multicultural or multinational societies, globalization, migration, populism and polarization, citizenship, deliberation and civic engagement.
Deadline: February 1, 2026
Submission link: Google docs form
Submission instructions: Max 8,000-word papers prepared for blind review with a 250-word abstract (see full instructions via the Google docs link)
Conference details: Presenters will have 45 minutes to talk, followed by commentary and Q&A. Accepted presenters will be paired with a Queen’s commentator and asked to submit any revisions by March 15
Location: Watson Hall (Room 517), Queen’s University, Kingston
Questions? dean.joseph@queensu.ca