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NUSTEP

The Northwestern Society for the Theory of Ethics and Politics (NUSTEP) hosts an annual spring conference in moral and political philosophy. We are proud that the conference has an established reputation as a constructive and collegial event addressing some of the most difficult and important questions of moral and political philosophy. The three-day conference features two invited keynote addresses and submitted papers by both faculty and graduate students as well as ample time for informal discussion. The 2026 conference will take place June 4–6, 2026 at Northwestern University in Evanston.

2026 Keynote Addresses

David Estlund (Brown University); Japa Pallikkathayil (University of Pittsburgh)

2026 Call for Papers
We welcome submissions from faculty and graduate students, as some sessions will be reserved for student presentations. Please submit an essay of approximately 4,000 words. Essay topics in all areas of ethics and political philosophy will be considered, although some priority will be given to essays that take up themes from the work of the keynote speakers, David Estlund and Japa Pallikkathayil, including democratic theory, ideal theory and feasibility, structural injustice, the relation between morality and politics, Kant’s political philosophy, coercion, deception, consent, and rights.

Essays should be prepared for blind review in word, rtf, or pdf format. Graduate submissions should be sent by e-mail to nustep.grad.conference@gmail.com; faculty submissions should be sent by e-mail to brixel@northwestern.edu. The deadline for submissions is February 13, 2026. Notices of acceptance will be sent by March 27, 2026.

For more information, please contact Pascal Brixel at brixel@northwestern.edu.

Previous Conferences: