Call for Papers | Conference on Beyond the Text: Re-Imagining International Trade Through a Gendered Lens by CNLU: Submit by Oct 5

About the WTO Chairs Programme, World Trade Organization

The WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) enhances knowledge and understanding of the multilateral trading system among academics, policymakers and other stakeholders by supporting trade-related research, curriculum development and outreach activities at academic institutions in developing and least developed WTO members and observers. Visit for more details: Click Here

About Chanakya National Law University, Patna

In the State of Bihar, India, where the seeds of the earliest republic were sown and the crop of democracy cultivated, a need was felt by the government for a university which would provide quality legal education and strive to raise national legal standards to competitive international level and promote legal awareness in the community, which will lead to the realization of goals embodied in the Constitution of India. Thus, on July 15th, 2006 came into being Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) at Patna. CNLU has established a dedicated Centre for Research in International Trade and Investment Laws. Click Here for more details about the University.

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About Opportunity

Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, Bihar India and Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt of India, under the aegis of the WTO Chairs Programme-Chairs of India and Peru in collaboration, jointly invite paper submissions for its International Academic Research Conference titled ‘Beyond The Text: Re-Imagining International Trade through a Gendered Lens’ to be held on 15-16 December, 2026 at CNLU, Patna, Bihar, India.

The Conference seeks to foster dialogue and encourage scholarly contributions on various issues pertaining to an overarching question-Is international trade truly gender-neutral merely because its rules are framed in gender-neutral terms? Or does the apparent neutrality of trade law conceal differentiated realities, opportunities and burdens across gendered and intersecting social contexts? The conference has been set up in this context and would endeavour to encourage discussions on reimagining trade rules through a gendered lens.

Conference Objectives

• Critically examine the intersections of Gender in International Trade Law and Policy.
• Encourage and highlight best practices and innovations that inform inclusion in International Trade rules and policy making at domestic level.
• Create a platform of a meaningful dialogue between Academics, Practioners, Policy Makers and Institutions for integrating gender equality in global value chains and for capacitating domestic policy spaces for inclusive trade policy making.

Suggested Themes (Not Exhaustive)

We welcome original, unpublished research papers from students, academics, policy makers and researchers addressing issues including but not limiting to:

• FAIL (Feminist Approaches to international law) approach to theoretical/praxis-related International Trade Law
• Fourth World Approaches to International Trade Law
• Indigenous Women as stewards of sustainable economies
• Disability, Inclusion and International Trade
• Gender dispositions in Bilateral or Plurilateral Trade Agreements and their impact on Gender Equality in International Trade
• Intersectionality and International Trade
• Gender Inclusive Trade Facilitation Policy Making
• Mainstreaming Gender in Trade Agreements and Domestic Policies
• Women’s Access to Trade Finance and Credit
• Women Representation as Negotiators in Trade Agreements
• Digital Trade and Gender Equality
• Barriers to Women’s Participation in Global Value Chains
• Regional Approaches and Best practices on Gender in International Trade
• Gender-inclusive Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in Investment policies
• Women-led Enterprises’ Access to Electronic Commerce, Technology and Artificial Intelligence.
• Unpaid Care Burden and Access to Resources in International Trade

Submission Guidelines

• Last Date of Abstract Submission: 5 October, 2026 [11.59 PM IST]
• Notification of Acceptance: 10 October, 2026
• Last Date of Registration: 18 October, 2026 [11.59 PM IST]
• Full Paper Submission: 5 December, 2026 [11.59 PM IST]

Note:

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1. Abstract must be submitted via email only at [email protected], clearly outlining the Title of the paper, Research Problem, Relevance, methodology, and Argument.
2. Abstract must be accompanied by a mini-bio of all the Authors with their current institutional affiliations (max 150 words per Author).
3. Use the subject line in email: WCP2026 Patna: Abstract Submission.
4. Abstract should be of 350-500 words.
5. Submission may be co-authored up to a maximum of two Authors.
6. Submissions will be assessed on the basis of Originality, Relevance, Scholarly Quality and the potential to contribute to the discussions in the Conference.
7. Papers with explicit AI generated content will not be considered for publication opportunity.
8. Full Papers should be within the word limit of 6000-8000 words, excluding references and footnotes. Details regarding formatting requirements/citation style/structure, etc., will be communicated to the Authors on the acceptance of their Abstract.

Publication Opportunity

Selected papers will be considered for publication in: a Special Issue of CNLU Journal of International Trade and Investment Law (a Flagship Peer-Reviewed and Refereed Journal of CNLU Patna), published by Thomson Reuters; OR in an Edited volume published by a reputed International publisher.

Participation, Registration Fee and Accommodation

Participation in the Conference is open to students (undergraduate/post graduate/doctoral); Academics, Policy Makers, Think Tank professionals, Practioners and Institutional representatives. In the spirit of encouraging a meaningful interactive exchange between the participants and the experts, this conference requires an in-person participation. Registration and Accommodation details for participants is as follows:

1. On the acceptance of the Abstract, registration is needed to be done by the Author/Authors. The details of the same will be shared in the Abstract acceptance email.
2. For Indian Nationals, Registration Fee is Rs. 3000/– (This is an individual fee and will have to be paid by an Author upon the acceptance of the Abstract). In case a paper is authored by more than one Author, each Author is required to pay the registration fee.
3. For Overseas/Foreign Participants, the Registration Fee is waived off.
4. Registration Fee does not include accommodation. It includes Registration Kit, Reading Material, Lunch, Refreshments and access to all Conference sessions for both the days.
5. In case a participant seeks support of the host institution for accommodation, the host institution will facilitate the lodging of the participant/s in a suitable accommodation/hotel in the city of Patna, Bihar, India. In addition to this, the Host institution will also publish a ‘Logistics Note’ as a guide to all participants for the details of good hotel accommodations available in the city of Patna.
6. This Conference is an in-person conference. However, in exceptional circumstances, online participation may be allowed by the Conference Directors on a case-to-case basis.

Contact Info

• Dr. Utkarsh K. Mishra, Associate Professor of Law and Director, Centre for Research in International Trade and Investment Law, CNLU, Patna, Bihar, India & Member, Gender Research Hub, WTO. Email: [email protected] Ph. +91 7905017038
• Mr. Victor Saco, WTO Chair Holder – Peru, Associate Professor, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). Email: [email protected]
• • Mr. Satwik Shekhar, Coordinator, WTO Chair – India, Assistant Professor (Consultant), Centre for Trade and Investment Law, IIFT, New Delhi. Email: [email protected]

For any queries, write to [email protected]