Boston University Law Review Online Symposia
Since 2013,Boston University Law Review Onlinehas selected a trending topic or recently published legal book or article on which to hold an online symposium. Scholars in the field contribute commentaries. For book and article symposia, the author has an opportunity to respond to those comments.
Recently, Professor Serena Mayeri (Arlin M. Adams Professor of Constitutional Law and Professor of History by courtesy, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School) publishedMarital Privilege: Marriage, Inequality, and the Transformation of American Law. The book describes how families, activists, and lawyers challenged marriage’s central legal and economic role in the United States.B.U. Law Review Onlinehosts five responses by invited contributors and a response to their contributions by Professor Mayeri.
In the B.U. Law Review’s 2025 February issue, Professor Carla D. Pratt published an article titledIndianness as Property, 105 B.U. L. Rev. 311 (2025). Since then, three scholars have submitted invited responses. One of the three is forthcoming and will be updated accordingly.
Advancing Pregnant Persons’ Right To Life Symposium
Devon Carbado’sUnreasonable: Black Lives, Police Power, and the Fourth Amendment
Title IX at 50: Learning from the Past & Looking to the Future
Vinay Harpalani’sAsian Americans, Racial Stereotypes, and Elite University Admissions
Jessica Silbey’sAgainst Progress: Intellectual Property and Fundamental Values in Internet Age
Paul Enríquez’sRewriting Nature: The Future of Genome Editing and How to Bridge the Gap Between Law and Science
Critical Legal Research: The Next Wave(A Panel in Honor of Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic)
Richard Hasen’sElection Meltdown: Dirty Tricks, Distrust, and the Threat to American Democracy
Dov Fox’sBirthRights and Wrongs: How Medicine and Technology are Remaking Reproduction and the Law
Justin Driver’sThe Schoolhouse Gate: Public Education, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for the American Mind
Dotan Oliar & James Y. Stern’sRight on Time: First Possession in Property and Intellectual Property
Adam Winkler’sWe the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights
Ganesh Sitaraman’sThe Crisis of the Middle-Class Constitution
Sherry Colb and Michael Dorf’sBeating Hearts: Abortion and Animal Rights
Jay Wexler’sWhen God Isn’t Green: A World-Wide Journey to Places Where Religious Practice and Environmentalism Collide
Katherine Franke’sWedlocked: The Perils of Marriage Equality
Executive Summary
The Boston University Law Review Online Symposia has been a platform for scholarly discussion on trending topics and recently published legal books and articles since 2013. The symposia have covered a wide range of topics, including marital privilege, property rights, and election meltdowns, with contributions from renowned scholars and authors. The online platform provides an opportunity for scholars to engage in discussions and respond to comments, fostering a deeper understanding of the topics and their implications.
Key Points
- ▸ Boston University Law Review Online Symposia provides a platform for scholarly discussion
- ▸ The symposia cover a wide range of topics, including marital privilege and property rights
- ▸ Renowned scholars and authors contribute to the discussions
Merits
Interdisciplinary Approach
The symposia bring together scholars from various fields, providing a comprehensive understanding of the topics
Timely and Relevant
The symposia address current and pressing issues, making them relevant to contemporary legal and social discussions
Demerits
Limited Scope
The symposia may not cover all aspects of a topic, potentially leaving out important perspectives
Accessibility
The online platform may not be accessible to all scholars, potentially limiting the scope of the discussions
Expert Commentary
The Boston University Law Review Online Symposia demonstrates the importance of scholarly discussion and debate in shaping our understanding of complex legal and social issues. By bringing together renowned scholars and authors, the symposia provide a unique platform for interdisciplinary approaches and timely discussions. However, it is essential to consider the potential limitations of the symposia, including the need for accessibility and inclusivity. Ultimately, the symposia's impact will depend on its ability to inform legal practice, policy-making, and public discourse.
Recommendations
- ✓ Increase accessibility and inclusivity of the symposia
- ✓ Expand the scope of topics covered to include emerging issues and perspectives
