Contributing to scholarly excellence: third annual Junior Scholars Conference

Photo by Greg Black

Participants in the 2009 Junior Scholars Conference: back row (l-r) Robert Leckey (McGill), Mark Antaki (McGill), Andrew Botterell (Western), Marie-France Bureau (Sherbrooke), Helge Dedek (McGill);front row (l-r) Erik Knutsen (Queen's), Hoi Kong (Queen's), Vanessa Gruben (Ottawa), Larissa Katz (Queen's), Cherie Metcalf (Queen's), Dayna Scott (Osgoode)

On January 23, 2009, pre-tenure and early-career legal scholars shared their work at the third annual Junior Scholars Conference.  This year's conference, hosted by Queen's Law and organized by Professor Cherie Metcalf, provided a forum for twelve paper presenters from Osgoode, McGill, Western, Sherbrooke and Queen's.

The Conference was an opportunity for scholars early in their careers to engage with each other's work and offer constructive criticism in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.  Participants tackled a rich variety of topics ranging from criminal law and constitutional theory to the dilemmas associated with framing the altered birth rate on aboriginal reservations as a measurable harm.

"The papers were excellent, and the discussions provoked were simply wonderful," said Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) Mark Walters.  "It was an intellectually rewarding day and a thoroughly enjoyable one too. The event has helped to build a sense of shared purpose in scholarly excellence among this generation's leading legal scholars in Canada, and we are pleased that Queen's has been a central part of this development."

By encouraging the development of professional relationships, the conference aimed to assist junior academics in the creation of a strong network which can contribute to valuable and rewarding careers.  Faculty and students had the chance to explore the various areas of research engaged in by junior academics. 

"This conference reinforces the reputation of our school as one that's enthusiastic about the work of junior scholars," said Metcalf.  "We're really grateful to the Dean and the Law Foundation of Ontario for their support of the conference, as well as to the participants, colleagues and staff who helped make it such a successful event."

For more pictures of the 2009 Junior Scholars Conference, see http://law.queensu.ca/events/recentConferences/juniorScholarsPhotos1.html .