Based on the success of holding four works-in-progress sessions during the Fall 2021 term, the GLSA, with the Research and Seminars Committee at Osgoode Hall Law School, will continue to host the graduate student works-in-progress series during the Winter 2022 term. We have now held seven works-in-progress sessions since we began these in March 2021.

We intend to host these on Thursdays or Fridays between 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM EST—these times do not appear to conflict with the course schedule for the Winter 2022 term. 

Please read the following explanation of works-in-progress and write to the GLSA (GLSA@osgoode.yorku.ca) to express interest in participating as a presenter/author. If possible, express your interest by January 3, 2022, so that we can send the room booking requests to the graduate student program office in advance with appropriate notice.

 How will these be held during the pandemic?

If public health measures allow, the works-in-progress will be held in a hybrid format with students attending in person at the graduate student seminar room, and with those students who cannot attend in person accessing the room online via Zoom. Where public health measures do not allow—such as with this recent rise of the Omicron variant—we will hold the works-in-progress sessions entirely online.

What is the purpose of a work-in-progress?

The point of a work-in-progress is to share a piece of research in its early stages: a draft paper or chapter, a set of ideas or arguments informing an analysis of yours, a piece under revision that you need help working through. Alternatively, you may decide to use the session to practice a conference presentation or a job talk. Attendees then provide feedback on the work-in-progress, and incidental to this, become exposed to other forms of legal scholarship and learn how to provide peer-to-peer feedback.

What happens during a work-in-progress?

 Ordinarily, a written product (e.g., draft paper, an annotated outline) is shared one week in advance with the group intending to join. A graduate student colleague is also assigned to your work to help facilitate conversation, which may mean taking the lead on the first few questions during the work-in-progress session. During the session itself, you introduce the piece of research in 5 to 10 minutes, and then the balance of the hour is spent in active discussion with attendees about the work. Each session is approximately one hour in total, although it can run longer if conversation warrants. Attendees should provide productive and generous commentary.

 Will faculty or other non-graduate students attend?

 We will ordinarily arrange for a faculty member from the Research and Seminars Committee to attend unless you indicate you would prefer it that no faculty attend. You are also welcome to invite faculty or other guests, although keep in mind that works-in-progress work best with a small number of participants.

 How many attend?

 A small number is best for the purposes of discussion and the provision of detailed feedback (approximately 5 to 8 attendees); however, we are open to including more students, depending upon the preferences of the author/WIP presenter.

 How can I participate?

 Write to the GLSA at GLSA@osgoode.yorku.ca. Include a working title to the work you intend to share with the group, a brief abstract (150-200 words) and 5 to 6 key words. Then indicate what months would work best with you, including any weeks or days within those months that you know you are not available. If you know a graduate student colleague who you would like to help facilitate your session, please identify them (including their contact information).