NLU Odisha – Centre For Disability Law And Advocacy (CDLA) Organises Two-Day International Conference

The conference will examine how the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven governance, while opening up new possibilities in healthcare, education and access to justice, has also widened existing inequalities and created fresh vulnerabilities for groups such as persons with disabilities, children, women, older persons, indigenous communities, migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA+ persons and other socio-economically disadvantaged sections. Concerns around digital exclusion, algorithmic discrimination and unequal access to technology are expected to be central to the discussions, alongside broader questions of accountability, transparency and rights-based governance in the digital age.

Deliberations at the conference will be organised across ten thematic tracks, covering areas such as law, technology and disability justice; children, youth and technology; women, gender and technology; ageing and elder rights; indigenous communities and digital justice; artificial intelligence and human rights; health and digital vulnerability; cyber law and digital governance; climate change and disaster technology; and access to justice through inclusive innovation.

The event will bring together an international line-up of speakers, including Prof. David J. Brown of Nottingham Trent University, Prof. Partha S. Mohapatra of California State University, Sacramento, Prof. Viktoriia Savina of North-Caucasus Federal University, Moscow, Prof. Sukanya Ray of Suffolk University, Boston, Prof. Jedrek C. Ng. of the UST Graduate School of Law, Philippines, and Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thu Ha of the Foreign Trade University, Vietnam. National speakers on the panel include Prof. Amita Dhanda, Professor Emerita at NALSAR, Prof. (Dr.) V.K. Ahuja, Director of the Indian Law Institute, Prof. (Dr.) Jyoti J. Mozika, Vice Chancellor of NLU Meghalaya, Prof. (Dr.) Viney Kapoor Mehra, founding Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar NLU, Sonepat, and Prof. S.N. Mishra, Professor Emeritus at KIIT, among others.

Prof. (Dr.) K. Vidyullatha Reddy, Vice Chancellor, NLUO, will serve as Chief Patron of the conference, with Smt. Bratati Harichandan, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Odisha, attending as Chief Guest. The event is being convened by Dr. Tanwi Shams, Assistant Professor of Law and Director, CDLA, along with co-conveners Ms. Athena K. Solomon and Ms. Ananya Rai, both Assistant Professors of Law at NLUO.

Scholars and practitioners interested in presenting papers are required to submit abstracts of 300 to 400 words, along with a minimum of five keywords, by September 3, 2026. Communication of acceptance is scheduled for September 5, 2026, followed by registration on September 6, 2026. Full papers, to be submitted by accepted authors, must be between 4,000 and 6,000 words and follow the OSCOLA (5th edition) referencing style. Selected papers may be considered for publication in an edited volume with an ISBN by a reputed publisher.

Registration fees have been fixed at Rs. 700 (online) and Rs. 1,000 (offline) for NLUO students, research scholars, faculty and staff; Rs. 1,000 (online) and Rs. 2,000 (offline) for other students, research scholars, academicians and professionals; and USD 30 (online) and USD 50 (offline) for international paper presenters. Offline registration includes conference kits, lunch and refreshments for both days, though travel and accommodation are not covered.

Further details and submission links are available through the Centre for Disability Law and Advocacy, which can be reached at cdla@nluo.ac.in.

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