Organized by the Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), the research seminar on Reproductive Ethics and Kinship in Contemporary Islamic Thought and Practice brings together scholars working at the intersections of Islamic studies, bioethics, law, medicine, sociology, anthropology, and gender studies to explore the ethical dimensions of reproduction, kinship, and family formation in contemporary Muslim contexts.
CILE invites applications for its Winter School, which will be held from January 11-13, 2027, concurrent with the research seminar. This year, students and early-career researchers are also invited to take an active part in the Winter School in one of two formats:
1. Research Slam
Participants present their research in 5 minutes. This is not a conference paper. It is a short, lively pitch to a specialist audience that says what questions you are asking, why they matter and what you have found or expect to find. Slides are required (three at most).
2. Closing Debate
The three days end with a debate on a motion drawn from the seminar’s central questions. Participants argue alongside seminar speakers. The debate is meant as a collegial exchange of ideas rather than a contest: there are no winners, and the aim is to think through the conference’s arguments together. The motion will be shared with participants well in advance.
Both formats welcome normative and empirical perspectives, including how Islamic ethical reasoning informs, shapes and responds to lived experiences and biomedical developments.
How to Apply
Applicants wishing to attend or take part in the Winter School should submit their application through the online application form. Applications should include a current CV and a letter of interest. Those wishing to take part in the Slam or the Debate should also submit a title and abstract of their research (max. 300 words). Based on the abstracts received, the organisers will invite selected applicants to present in the Research Slam or to join the Closing Debate.
Further details about the programme will be announced later.