8-10 June 2026
The teaching of international human rights law is undergoing profound transformation. Armed conflicts, political polarization, technological change and new forms of geopolitical competition increasingly shape the contexts in which human rights are interpreted, contested and taught.
This conference brings together leading scholars from Europe, Israel and beyond to reflect on the challenges and responsibilities of teaching human rights today. It explores how human rights law can be taught in times marked by normative uncertainty, institutional pressure and competing political narratives.
Particular attention is given to the intersections between human rights law, international criminal law, humanitarian law and transitional justice, as well as to questions of academic freedom, digital transformation and minority protection.
The event will be held in hybrid format and is open to participants worldwide.
Monday, 8 June 2026
09:00 | AULA
Opening Remarks
Peter Hilpold & Ivo Hajnal - University of Innsbruck
PANEL I Teaching Human Rights, Criminal Law and Transitional Justice
09:30 | AULA | Chair: Peter Hilpold, University of Innsbruck
Ruti Teitel, Ernst C Stiefel Professor of Comparative Law, New York Law School and Affiliated Faculty New York University MAIR
“Teaching Transitional Justice in an Era of Urgent Need for Responsibility and Reconciliation.”
Gerry Simpson, London School of Economics
“Teaching and Thinking Crimes Against Humanity.”
11:00 | AULA | Chair: Ivo Hajnal, University of Innsbruck
Ziv Bohrer, Bar-Ilan University
“Teaching International Criminal Law in a Time of [Armed] Conflict.”
Shelly Aviv Yeini, Reichman University
“Teaching Humanitarian Law - To Students Affected by War.”
12:30 | Uni Lounge | Lunch Break
PANEL II Methods and Contexts of Human Rights Teaching
14:30 | AULA | Chair: Peter Hilpold, University of Innsbruck
Lucas Lixinski, UNSW Sidney & Ayla do Vale Alves, Adelaide University
"Can the Teacher's Tools Dismantle the Teacher's House? Balancing Emancipation and Imperialism in English-Language Human Rights Textbooks."
Sana Khan, University of Karachi Pakistan
"Teaching international Human Rights Law in Islamic countries: Methods, Aims, further Prospects."
Christina Binder, Universität der Bundeswehr, München
“Universities as human rights agents.”
Tuesday, 9 June 2026
PANEL III Teaching Human Rights in Times of Normative Contestation
09:00 | AULA | Chair: Giuseppe Nesi, University of Trento
Marco Pertile, University of Trento
"Axiological Neutrality and Teaching Human Rights: Revisiting Max Weber in the Age of Normative Contestation."
Antonino Alì, University of Trento
“Teaching International Law in Times of Bulk Data Collection: Challenges for Human Rights Education.”
10:30 | Uni Lounge | Coffee Break
11:00 | AULA | Chair: Peter Hilpold, University of Innsbruck
Jan Wouters, KU Leuven
“Teaching about the EU and Human Rights.”
12:00 | Uni Lounge | Lunch Break
PANEL IV Defending Academic Freedom
13:30 | AULA | Chair: Vera Dietl, University of Innsbruck
Gerd Oberleitner, University of Graz
“International Law as Performance: the Power and Pitfalls of Experiential Human Rights Learning.”
Dirk Rupnow, University of Innsbruck
Mordechai Kremnitzer, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
“Populism and Academic Freedom.”
15:30 | Uni Lounge | Coffee Break
16:00 | AULA | Chair: Peter Hilpold, University of Innsbruck
Giulio Bartolini, University of Roma 3
“Academic Freedom: The Role of the International Law Teacher.”
Matthias Kettemann, University of Innsbruck
“Academic Freedom and AI"
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
PANEL V Teaching International Minority Rights
14:30 | AULA | Chair: Stefania Baroncelli, University of Bolzano / Roberta Medda-Windischer
Jennifer-Jackson Preece, London School of Economics
Petra Roter, University of Ljubljana
Jens Woelk, Mattia Zeba & Andrea Carlà, Eurac, Bozen-Bolzano
PANEL VI Closing Roundtable
16:00 | AULA | Chair: Peter Hilpold, University of Innsbruck
17:30 | Uni Lounge | Coffee Break
SPECIAL EVENING LECTURE
18:00 | HS3 | Chair: Ivo Hajnal, University of Innsbruck
Ziv Bohrer, Bar-Ilan University
“The centuries-long [pre-1945] forgotten history of International Criminal Law.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Ruti Teitel - New York Law School
Gerry Simpson - London School of Economics
Ziv Bohrer - Bar-Ilan University
Shelly Aviv Yeini - Reichman University
Lucas Lixinski - University of New South Wales, Sydney
Ayla Do Vale Alves - Adelaide University
Sana Khan - University of Karachi Pakistan
Christina Binder - University of the Bundeswehr Munich
Marco Pertile & Antonino Alì - University of Trento
Jan Wouters - KU Leuven
Giulio Bartolini - University Roma 3
Mordechai Kremnitzer - Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Dirk Rupnow & Matthias Kettemann - University of Innsbruck
Gerd Oberleitner - University of Graz
Participation in the conference “Teaching International Human Rights Law – in Times of Normative Contestation” is free of charge.
The event will take place in hybrid format. Participants may attend either in person at the University of Innsbruck or join online.
For organisational reasons, registration is required for all participants, including those attending online. Registered participants will receive further information regarding the programme and, if applicable, the access link for the online participation shortly before the event.
Conference details
Date: 8–10 June 2026
Location: University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Format: Hybrid (on-site and online participation)
Please register using the link below or via the QR code.
Register here
The conference will take place at the University of Innsbruck, located in the heart of the Austrian Alps. With its long-standing academic tradition and strong international orientation, the University provides an ideal setting for scholarly exchange.
The main conference sessions will be held at:
University of Innsbruck
Innrain 52. 1. OG Aula
6020 Innsbruck
Austria
The venue is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport. Innsbruck’s historic city centre, accommodation options, and key facilities are all within walking distance.
Innsbruck offers a unique combination of academic excellence and natural surroundings. Situated between mountain ranges, the city provides an inspiring environment for international dialogue and reflection.
Arrival
By plane
Innsbruck Airport (INN) is located approximately 10 minutes from the city centre. Alternatively, Munich Airport (Germany) offers a wider range of international connections and is approximately 2 hours away by train.
By train
Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof is well connected to major European cities such as Vienna, Munich, Zurich and Bolzano. From the main station, the university can be reached within a few minutes by tram or bus.
By public transport
The university is accessible via several tram and bus lines. The nearest stops are “Innrain / Universität” and “Marktplatz”.
Accommodation
A wide range of hotels and guesthouses are available in Innsbruck. We recommend booking accommodation early due to high demand during the summer season.
Further information and practical details will be provided to registered participants prior to the conference.
Registration & Check-In Process
University of Innsbruck – Main Building
Innrain 52, 1st Floor, Room: Aula
🕘 Check-in Time: 8.15 am - 9.00 am
Campus Overview – University of Innsbruck
The University of Innsbruck has multiple campus locations. The main facilities for AIANI Partner Week are at Campus Innrain:
Main University Building – Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck
Ágnes-Heller-Haus – Innrain 52a, 6020 Innsbruck
Bruno-Sander-Haus – Innrain 52f, 6020 Innsbruck
Campus Universitätsstraße (SoWi) – Universitätsstraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck
Campus Technikerstraße – Technikerstraße 21, 6020 Innsbruck
ICT Building (Information and Communication Technology) – Technikerstraße 21a, 6020 Innsbruck
A detailed campus map is available here: 🔗University of Innsbruck Campus Overview
Dining Options on Campus
Uni Lounge (Ágnes-Heller-Haus, Innrain 52a)
Open Monday to Friday, serving lunch from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Emergency Contacts & Health Services
Emergency Number (Austria): 112 (General Emergency)
Medical Emergency: 144
University Medical Service: Located at Innrain 52, provides medical assistance for minor issues.
Nearest hospitals & pharmacies:
University Hospital Innsbruck (Tirol Kliniken) – Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck
Closest Pharmacy: Apotheke Anich (Anichstraße 5, 6020 Innsbruck)
Local Transportation & Getting Around Innsbruck
Public Transport with IVB
Tickets can be purchased via the IVB app (Android & iOS).
Taxi Services in Innsbruck
Innsbruck Taxi: +43 512 5311
Taxi 40100: +43 512 40100
Ridesharing apps (Bolt & Uber are not widely available, but FreeNow operates in Innsbruck).
Bike Rental & E-Scooters
Innsbruck has a well-developed bike path network.
Nextbike & Tier Scooters are available via app-based rentals.
Contact
Vera Dietl, BA MA MA
+43 676 872539201
vera.dietl@uibk.ac.at
Prof. Dr. Peter Hilpold
peter.hilpold@uibk.ac.at
Organised by
Prof. Dr. Peter Hilpold, University of Innsbruck – Faculty of Law
in cooperation with AIANI
Austrian-Israeli Academic Network Innsbruck
Conference Directors
Prof. Dr. Peter Hilpold,
Prof. Dr. Ivo Hajnal,
Vera Dietl BA MA MA,
Prof. Giuseppe Nesi,
Prof. Stefania Baroncelli
