Winograd Initiative

This new initiative, funded by alumni Chuck and Libby Winograd, for the Study of Contemporary Hate Speech & Antisemitism will greatly enhance the work being done on UM campuses to promote peace and justice.  The Winograd initiative will integrate research, academic engagement, and community collaboration, to address hate speech and antisemitism. 

The Winograd Symposium

The 1st Annual Winograd Symposium will take place on May 3, 2026 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 85 Israel Asper Way, Winnipeg, MB. The deadline for submissions is December 23, 2025.

First annual Winograd Initiative symposium on law and the Jewish Life May 3 2026 Canadian museum for human rights.
The University of Manitoba Faculty of Law is delighted to invite submissions for the 1st Annual Winograd Symposium on Law and Jewish Life, to be held on May 3, 2026, at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

About the Winograd Symposium

The Winograd Symposium is a unique event supporting student scholarship pertaining to law and Jewish life. Our aim is to foster scholarship in this important field by offering a safe and inclusive environment to share ideas and engage in meaningful dialogue with students and faculty. The Symposium will feature a panel of distinguished faculty advisors who will offer feedback in a collegial and intellectually rigorous environment. 

Eligibility

Submissions are welcome from: 

  • Juris Doctor (JD) students;
  • Graduate students in any field whose research addresses law and Jewish life.

Submission Requirements

Please submit the following by December 23, 2025:

  • A 300–500 word abstract describing the proposed paper.
  • A 75–150 word biography including academic affiliation and relevant background.

Submissions and inquiries should be sent to Kenneth Grad, Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba Faculty of Law  (Kenneth.Grad@UManitoba.ca) and Rachael Buchwald, JD Student and Research Assistant, University of Manitoba Faculty of Law (Buchwalr@myUManitoba.ca).

Decisions will be communicated by e-mail prior to February 1, 2026. 

Please note:

  • Completed papers are not required prior to the event.
  • There is no obligation to complete a paper after the event.
  • The Symposium is designed to offer valuable feedback on proposals and works in progress.
  • No prior academic conference experience is required.
  • The Symposium is open to all students whose work engages with law and Jewish life, regardless of personal background or affiliation.

Submission Guidelines

We welcome papers on a wide range of topics relating to law and Jewish life, including but not limited to:

  • Legal tools for combating antisemitism
  • Hate speech and freedom of expression (eg on university campuses and online)
  • Jewish history and the law
  • Defining antisemitism (eg IHRA definition)
  • Jewish identity and the law
  • Jewish legal theory
  • Employment, labour and civil society (eg antisemitism in the workplace, Jewish involvement in labour unions, legal challenges in professional and nonprofit organizations)

These are merely examples. We will apply a broad and inclusive definition of the intersection of law and Jewish life. 

Presentation Format

Successful applicants will be invited to deliver a 10–15 minute research presentation at the Symposium.

Publication Opportunity

Select papers may be considered for publication in a future issue of the Manitoba Law Journal. Faculty advisors may be available following the Symposium to support students interested in developing proposals into publishable work.

Awards

Prizes will be awarded at the Symposium as follows:

  • Best Paper: $1,500
  • Three Honourable Mentions: $500 each

Travel and Accommodation

The Symposium will cover reasonable travel expenses for presenters, including airfare, hotel accommodation (2 nights), meals, and incidental expenses.

Registration for the Winograd Symposium will open soon.

Please watch this page for updates.