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Early Environmental Law Scholars Conference

November 6-8, 2025

November 6-8, 2025

University of Florida Levin College of Law

University of Florida Levin College of Law hosted the 2nd Annual Early Environmental Law Scholars (EELS) Conference in Gainesville, Florida, on November 7 and 8, 2025. The event kicked off with an evening reception on November 6.

The event was open to junior academics (i.e. those with less than 7 years on the tenure-track and PhD students/Fellows/Visiting Assistant Professors (VAPs)) teaching at U.S. schools.

Sessions included a panel with senior scholars on Navigating Academia in a Time of Change, works-in-progress scholarship presentations, a teaching workshop, and more!  Sessions were held Friday and Saturday morning. On Friday afternoon, there was a group field trip to enjoy the natural beauty of North Florida while building deeper bonds with colleagues.  The event ended after lunch on Saturday.

Attendees were encouraged, but not required, to submit a work-in-progress for presentation. Papers at any stage of pre-publication were accepted—ranging from an abstract or concept outline to papers that have been accepted for publication but are not yet in print. Each presenter gave a short presentation on their work and served as an official commentator on one other paper. Organizers thematically paired papers and commentators.

Schedule:

Thursday, November 6

  • 5:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception

Friday, November 7

  • 8:00 a.m. — Breakfast & Introductions
  • 9:00 a.m. — Keynote Round Table Discussion – Navigating Academia and Environmental Law in a Time of Change
  • 10:30–10:45 a.m. — Break
  • 10:45 a.m. — Scholarship Group 1: Environmental Rights
  • 10:45 a.m. — Scholarship Group 2: Climate Law
  • 10:45 a.m. — Scholarship Group 3: Water Law + Financial Incentives
  • 12:30 p.m. — Leave for Field Trip (box lunch on bus)
  • 1:30–3:30 p.m. – Field Trip – Kayaking at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
  • 4:30 p.m. — Return to UF Law
  • 7:30 p.m. — Dinner at Spurrier’s Grille

Saturday, November 8

  • 8:00 a.m. — Breakfast
  • 9:00 a.m. — Teaching Panel: Teaching Climate Change
  • 10:30–10:45 a.m. — Break
  • 10:45 a.m. — Scholarship Group 4: Climate + Energy
  • 10:45 a.m. — Scholarship Group 5: Property and Environment
  • 10:45 a.m. — Scholarship Group 6: Administrative Law+
  • 12:30 p.m. — Fostering Collaboration Luncheon
  • 2:00 p.m. — Adjourn
Event Photo Gallery

Please direct any questions to Professor Alex Erwin at erwin@law.ufl.edu.