Background Note
The relationship between doctrine and data has long-shaped legal philosophy. Empirical research, though once peripheral, is increasingly transforming how law is theorized and practiced. While doctrinal analysis remains indispensable, the rise of computational legal studies, behavioral 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 rigorous debate on how empirical methodologies can complement or challenge doctrinal frameworks, building a research culture that is methodologically robust, socially responsive, and reform oriented.
About IIT Kharagpur
Established in 1951, IIT Kharagpur is India’s first IIT and a pioneer 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.
Recognised as an Institute of Eminence (2019), it was also the first IIT to integrate law and management into its academic portfolio, embodying its motto “Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam — Excellence in Action is Yoga.”
About RGSOIPL
Founded in 2006, Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (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.
Research at RGSOIPL
RGSOIPL scholars are actively 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