Call For Papers: 7th Research Colloquium 2025 At RGSOIPL, IIT Kharagpur

The Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (RGSOIPL), IIT Kharagpur invites academicians, scholars, and researchers to the 7th Research Colloquium 2025 on the theme: “Harmonising Doctrine and Data: Advancing Empiricism in Legal Scholarship”

The relationship between doctrine and data has long shaped legal philosophy. Research, though once peripheral, is increasingly transforming how law is theorised and practised. While doctrinal analysis remains indispensable, the rise of computational legal studies, behavioural experiments, ethnographic research, and statistical assessments demonstrates law's evolving engagement with scientific temper.
In India, empirical legal research is still emerging, rooted in socio-legal inquiries shaped by colonial legacies and post-independence reforms. This colloquium seeks to foster debate on how empirical methodologies can complement or challenge doctrinal frameworks, building a research culture that is methodologically robust, socially responsive, and reform-oriented.

Established in 1951, IIT Kharagpur is India's first IIT and promotes in multidisciplinary education. With 19 academic departments, 13 schools of excellence, 8 multidisciplinary centres, and 25+ R&D units, IIT KGP nurtures innovation and leadership across disciplines.
Founded in 2006, RGSOIPL is India's first law school within an IIT, dedicated to bridging law and technology. It was ranked 1st in Legal Research (NIRF 2024).

Courses Offered

• LL.B. (Hons.) (3 years)
• LL.M. (2 years) with specialisations in Intellectual Property Law, International Law, and Criminal Law
• Ph.D. in Law

The School also hosts the National Colloquium on Legal Research, moot court competitions, and lectures by eminent jurists. It nurtures a pro bono culture, ensuring law serves society.

Dates: 24th – 26th October 2025 | Venue: IIT Kharagpur

RGSOIPL scholars are publishing with Oxford, Cambridge, Wiley, Springer, SAGE, Taylor & Francis, Brill, and in journals like the Asian Journal of Criminology.
Research focus spans:

• Intellectual Property Law
• Constitutional & Criminal Law
• International Law & Human Rights
• Law & Technology
• Environmental and Labour Law
• Corporate & Competition Law
• Law & Economics

Call for Extended Abstracts

Scholars are invited to submit extended abstracts (max 1000 words) engaging with doctrinal and empirical legal questions.

Suggested Areas

• Crime, Justice, and Accountability
• Constitutional rights and safeguards
• IP & AI: Legal and ethical challenges
• Rule of Law and Environmental Protection
• International Human Rights Law
• Gender, Discrimination, and Access to Justice
• Trends in Corporate & Commercial Law
• Contemporary challenges in Environmental Law

Awards will be given to the three best paper presenters.

Submission Guidelines

• Word Limit: Up to 1000 words (excluding footnotes)
• Structure: Introduction → Methodology → Outcomes → Conclusion → References
• Style: OSCOLA (4th ed.)
• File Format: PDF, DOC, or DOCX
• Co-authorship: Max 2 authors (with bios)
• File Naming: “FirstAuthorName_ExtendedAbstract”
• Submission Link: https://forms.gle/mj64jqggzJHCUpaU7
• Review: Rolling acceptance, first-come, first-served

Beyond the Panels

• The Colloquium will also host interactive activities such as:
• World Café: Collaborative table discussions
• Research Methodology Design Challenge: Doctrinal vs empirical teams
• Blind Spot Diagnosis: Peer-review without author details to test implicit biases

Registration Fees

• Academician/Faculty: ₹4500
• Research Scholars: ₹2500
• IIT KGP Students: ₹500

Includes two lunches & two dinners (accommodation available at Guest House on request with applicable rates).

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 20th September 2025
• Notification of Acceptance: 10th October 2025
• Registration Deadline: 15th October 2025
• Colloquium Dates: 24th – 26th October 2025

Contact

Email: colloquiumrgsoipl@gmail.com; Phone: +91 9674903709, Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, IIT Kharagpur, 721302, West Bengal

For more details refer to the brochure here.