One of the world’s top publications in labour and employment law has a new home at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School.
The Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal, a global leader in international and comparative labour law, has moved its editorial operations from the University of Illinois to Osgoode. This is the first time the journal has been based at a Canadian institution.
The move highlights Osgoode’s world-class research depth and growing influence in global labour and employment law scholarship. Professors Valerio De Stefano and Sara Slinn will lead the journal as co-editors, combining their expertise in law, policy and the future of work.
“This is a highly respected academic journal, one that scholars around the world aspire to publish in,” says De Stefano. “By bringing it to Osgoode, we’re strengthening global ties and creating new opportunities for students, scholars and practitioners in Canada and beyond.”
The journal is known for its interdisciplinary approach, connecting legal analysis with policy perspectives on some of the most pressing issues in the modern workplace.
The debut issue published by Osgoode features Canadian scholar Dalia Gesualdi-Fecteau as guest editor. It examines the growing fragmentation of labour regulation in a globalized economy. The second issue focuses on the right to strike, a timely topic that’s now before the International Court of Justice.
Osgoode will also integrate the journal into its teaching and research. A new course connected to the publication allows JD students to review articles under consideration, while graduate students take on editorial responsibilities and mentor smaller student groups.
“This is a rare opportunity for Canadian law students,” says Slinn. “They gain hands-on experience in academic publishing, engage with cutting-edge scholarship and contribute to a truly global conversation.”
Dean Trevor Farrow says the journal’s arrival is an exciting step for Osgoode’s broader research mission.
“Hosting this prestigious journal speaks to Osgoode’s long-standing strength in labour and employment law and to our commitment to advancing thought leadership across borders,” he says. “It opens doors for our students and strengthens the school’s connections to global scholarly networks.”
Initial funding for the journal’s transition came from Osgoode, with additional support from the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers.
Upcoming special issues will explore topics including: artificial intelligence and workplace privacy; trade and labour protections; and evolving approaches to employment rights.
The journal is available online through the Osgoode Digital Commons.
With files from Meghan Carrington