Australasian Animal Law Researchers and Teachers Association (AALTRA) – call for abstracts

Our industry partner, AALTRA has extended their call for Abstracts to 4 September 2026.

AALTRA has had a very positive response to our initial call for abstracts, and a few colleagues have contacted us about extending the deadline. Accordingly, the AALTRA Committee has decided to extend the deadline until 4 September 2026.

The Conference will provide an opportunity for animal law teachers, scholars, practitioners, and students to come together to share insights, experiences, and opportunities for reform. The keynote speaker is Professor Danielle Celermajer, who is a pioneer in multi-species justice. The planning committee is also arranging for two panels of invited speakers, one on the latest developments of animal law in the Asia/pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand, and the second panel on Animals and Artificial Intelligence.

We already have an amazing array of abstracts from Australia, New Zealand, South America, Turkiye – it promises to be a great conference.

Suggested topic areas include (but are not limited to):

• What is meant by justice in the context of animal law (eg multi-species justice, wild law, capabilities)? Do notions of human justice (eg distributive justice, restorative justice) apply to animals? Should justice for humans (eg fair distribution of burdens and benefits in conservation practices) be part of justice in animal law?
• Is justice the opposite of injustice? If so, where do the injustices lie? Does the legal system disadvantage animals, have a bias against animals? If this injustice is eliminated does that lead to justice?
• Is lack of implementation of laws a form of injustice (eg regulatory capture, criminal prosecutions, penalties, lack of an office for animal welfare/wellbeing/justice)?
• What are the synergies between animal welfare and justice, and can animal welfare form the basis of justice for animals? What are benefits of animal welfare beyond other proposals (eg capabilities)?
• Does/should justice to animals take into account societal perspectives (Indigenous, feminist, queer) and would that lead to better justice for animals?
• What is the role of legal education/institutions in achieving justice for animals?

We are inviting abstracts for papers to be presented at the Conference. Please submit:

• Your 200-250 word abstract together with a 100-word bio by 4 September to aaltra.association@gmail.com.
• If you are not attending the conference on both days, advise which day best suits you: 26 November 3-5pm or 27 November 9.30-11.30am.
• There is also the possibility that selected papers will be published as book chapters (by a law publisher) – please indicate if you would like to submit a full article, after the conference, to be considered for publication.

Abstracts will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early bird registration (to be sent out shortly) will be available.