The Canadian Law & Society Association held its annual conference at Acadia this year, with the theme “Law and Society Research Amidst Rising Tides.”

In sessions across what Law & Society student Julia Smith called “three action-packed and inspiring days,” panelists and speakers addressed a range of topics including intimate partner violence, and Indigenous law, judging, and community safety.

The conference, which has been running since the 1980s, gathers top scholars in the field from across the country each year. The Canadian Law and Society Association has a broad membership of scholars from interdisciplinary fields including socio-legal studies, political science, criminology, legal history, queer legal scholarship, feminist legal scholarship, critical race theory, and more.

Dr. Emily Lockhart (Law & Society) says hosting the conference at Acadia is a milestone for the young program, which was launched here in 2023.

“This felt like a pivotal moment for our new Law and Society program to become a more integrated part of the larger law and society community,” says Dr. Lockhart. “And it was sure worth it!”

With over 170 conference attendees, our campus came alive and gave our faculty and students an opportunity that Dr. Lockhart says they won’t soon forget.

Madalyn Conway (President, Law & Society Student Association) feels similarly. She says it was an “amazing opportunity” for her and her fellow students from the program.

Alongside Madalyn and Julia, Mohammad Fleifel and Rowan Helmer took part in the proceedings as conference assistants. They got hands-on experience in the world of academic conference organizing and a front row seat to hear from and meet experts in their field.  

Rowan, who came up to Wolfville from Dalhousie to work as a conference assistant, said it was a highlight of her undergrad career.

The student assistants also found it valuable to see the various ways scholars are translating their knowledge into action. For Madalyn, the conference “demonstrated how many great people are dedicated to pursuing truth and justice in their own ways.”

“Seeing the diversity in scholarship and interacting with people from all different walks of life has changed the way that I see research.”

For Julia, getting facetime with established professionals was a big appeal. Reflecting on the conference, she said she was “grateful to have had the opportunity to help with a conference of such national importance in my undergraduate degree.”

“Having the opportunity to engage with such established, like-minded professionals this early on in my academic career is something that really sets Acadia’s Law and Society program apart!”

“I look forward to seeing what events the Law and Society program will put on next,” says Julia. “And can't wait to be a part of it!”