Absence of women's authorial voices

(Delighted to welcome back alumna Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, who contributes this guest post)

In recent years, feminist international law scholars have wondered if we will ever be more than "a decorative frill on the edge of the discipline." in the apt phrase of IntLawGrrls guest/alumna Hilary Charlesworth.
With that in mind, we take note that an event yesterday on "What Makes a Great International Law Article," hosted by the American Society of International Law. Five of the most cited articles from the past decade were picked out in order to guide conversation on the topic. They were:

► Eric Stein, "International Integration and Democracy No Love at First Sight," 95 American Journal of International Law 489 (2001);
► Paul C. Szasz, "The Security Council Starts Legislating," 96 American Journal of International Law 901 (2002);
► Ryan Goodman, "Human Rights Treaties, Invalid Reservations, and State Consent," 96 American Journal of International Law (2002);
► W. Michael Reisman, "Assessing Claims to Revise the Laws of War," 97 American Journal of International Law 82 (2003); and
► Harold Hongju Koh, "International Law as Part of Our Law," 98 American Journal of International Law 43 (2004).

The notable absence of women in the list is surprising.
It is especially surprising given that international law scholars Christine Bell (another IntLawGrrls guest/alumna), Allison Marston Danner and Anthea Roberts have all garnered the Deák Prize for meritorious scholarship published in the American Journal of International Law, in 2007, 2004 and 2002 respectively.
On a positive note, the panel leading the discussion included two women: one prominent international law scholar and AJIL editor, Dinah Shelton, and AJIL Managing Editor Julie Furgerson.

Write On! ASIL's 2009 annual meeting

(Write On! is an occasional item about notable calls for papers.) Co-chairs of next year's annual meeting of the American Society of International Law already have issued calls for proposals for panels or New Voices papers.
The meeting, the 102d in ASIL's history and the 1st for new President and IntLawGrrl Lucy Reed (below right), will be held March 25-28, 2009, in Washington, D.C. Its theme: "International Law as Law." Co-chairs -- Stephen Mathias, Legal Adviser's Office, U.S. State Department Legal Adviser's Office, Anthea E. Roberts of the London office of Debevoise & Plimpton, and Georgetown Law Professor Carlos Manuel Vázquez -- explain:

Like domestic law, international law is created, implemented and enforced – but in a manner that is distinct, varied, and constantly evolving. Understanding how international law functions as law today requires an examination of the nature of the actors in the international legal system and the changing ways in which they interact with one another. These developments are challenging and transforming traditional visions of international law, sparking new and renewed theoretical and practical debates.

Topics thus to be explored at the annual meeting include:

► Changing character of fundamental aspects of the international legal system, including the sources of international law, the role of states and their constituent branches of government in generating and implementing international obligations (including the role of domestic courts in enforcing treaty obligations);

► Law-making and law-executing functions of international organizations, and the role of non-state actors (including civil society, individuals and businesses) as creators, enforcers and subjects of international law; and

► Developments in substantive law and innovations in techniques for achieving compliance.

To propose a panel, complete and submit the online Program Proposals Form before June 16, 2008. "[S]tudents and new professionals (academic or non-academic)" who'd like to present scholarship within the meeting theme should complete and submit the online New Voices Proposals Form before June 30, 2008.