The first joint-Leiden & McGill Academic Workshop on Air & Space Law on 18 September 2026, will bring together leading scholars, early-career researchers, and practitioners to explore and debate the most pressing and emerging developments in air and space law.

The Workshop is co-organised by Leiden University and McGill University, with the aim of advancing academic legal discussions in the field of air and space law and providing a high-level academic podium for the presentation of groundbreaking and cutting-edge research, rigorous scholarly exchange, and constructive peer feedback.

Themes

The Workshop will address a broad range of contemporary questions in air and space law, including:

• Public Air Law: Sovereignty, air service agreements, dispute settlement, environmental regulation, aviation safety and security.
• Private Air Law: Passenger protection, contractual and third-party liability, cargo, insurance and aviation finance.
• Emerging Aerospace Technologies: Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, big data, suborbital activities, unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility.
• Defence and Security in Outer Space: Dual-use activities and the militarisation and weaponisation of outer space.
• Commercial Space Activities: Private human spaceflight, large satellite constellations, space-resource utilisation, active debris removal and insurance.

Format

The programme will consist of thematic panels featuring pre-circulated academic papers, short presentations by the authors, in-depth discussion and audience feedback. he detailed programme will be published on this page closer to the date of the Workshop.

Who can attend?

The Workshop is intended for students, PhD candidates, academics, researchers and practitioners working in air and space law or related fields. Scholars from other legal disciplines whose research intersects with air or space law are also welcome. Interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives are particularly encouraged.

Practical Information

Date: Friday, 18 September 2026
Location: Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
Attendance: Free of charge, but registration is required

For further information, please contact the organising committee:

Dr Benjamyn I. Scott
b.i.scott@law.leidenuniv.nl