UMass Law UMass Law: UMass Law Faculty Development Committee Hosts Interdisciplinary Legal Studies Colloquium in Boston

The UMass Law Faculty Development Committee hosts the 7th UMass Interdisciplinary Legal Studies Colloquium at the UMass Club in Boston.

The 2025 UMass Interdisciplinary Legal Studies Colloquium, held on March 28 at the UMass Club in Boston, brought together faculty from across the University of Massachusetts system to present works-in-progress and engage in collaborative discussion. Organized by the UMass Law Faculty Development Committee, the event featured a full day of roundtables, panels, and remarks, with participants from a range of disciplines including law, sociology, political science, criminology, and public policy. 

Throughout the day, presenters shared research on timely legal and policy topics. In the morning roundtable, Professors Roni Amit, Hillary Farber, Tryon Woods, Joshua Long, and Paul Collins discussed current works-in-progress. A second, afternoon roundtable featured presentations on works-in-progress from Professors Faisal Chaudhry, Geoffrey McDonald, Chad McGuire, Sindiso Mnisi Weeks, and Heather Zaykowski.

The colloquium also included two themed panels. The first, moderated by Lisa Owens, focused on elections in the post-Citizens United era, with contributions from Anoo Vyas, Ray La Raja, Erin O’Brien, and Doug Roscoe. The second, led by Hillary Farber, explored progressive prosecution and included Jamie Rowan and her research partner Youngmin Yi, Lisa Owens, and Rebecca Dunlea. Afternoon remarks were delivered by Dean Sam Panarella. The event fostered thoughtful dialogue and provided an opportunity for faculty across the University of Massachusetts campuses to share ideas and support each other’s scholarly work.

The Interdisciplinary Legal Studies Colloquium, having just completed its seventh iteration, continues to thrive as a vital forum for scholarly exchange across the UMass system. The brainchild of Professor Spencer Clough, the colloquium was founded with the goal of fostering intellectual community and dialogue among faculty whose work engages legal questions from diverse disciplinary perspectives. By bringing together scholars from fields such as political science, philosophy, sociology, history, and beyond, the event creates a dynamic space where legal scholarship is enriched by robust interdisciplinary debate. Over the years, the colloquium has become a cornerstone for cross-campus collaboration, advancing critical conversations about law and society in innovative and inclusive ways.