The Bill of Rights in the Digital Era
October 29-30, 2015
National Constitution Center Philadelphia, PA
Present a session at the 2015 National Law-Related Education Conference in Philadelphia
The American Bar Association Division for Public Education welcomes proposals for presentations on
the theme “The Bill of Rights in the Digital Era” for the 2015 National Law-Related Education
Conference. As the 225th anniversary of the Bill of Rights approaches in 2016, this conference will
consider how, and if, the digital era of the 21st century reshapes our understanding and teaching of the
fundamental guarantees included in the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Proposals should align
with one or more of the conference subthemes:
The First Amendment and Civic Engagement
Today’s all-connected world challenges traditional notions of free speech and press, and makes free
assembly as easy as a tweet. It creates an instant platform for advocacy in all of its shapes and sizes, and
demands media savvy and literate consumer citizens. What effect, if any, does this have on constitutional
guarantees? How is this reshaping civic engagement, if at all? What does this mean for policy, voting,
elections, and political choice?
Searches, Seizures, and Technology
Personal data, now carried on multiple devices smaller than pockets, may go viral at the touch of a button,
and raises questions about searches and seizures. Technological advances, including DNA mapping,
genetic testing, GPS, and facial recognition, are pushing 4th Amendment boundaries and reconstituting
notions of privacy. How is law helping to navigate these frontiers? Or, is it falling short?
Courts in the Digital Era
Digital media is reshaping trials and testimonies, from social media and cell phone videos as evidence to
the public reactions when evidence “goes viral.” Jury service is also changing, as jurors tweet about their
service and courts rush to manage the public flow of information. Finally, the 21st century is reshaping the
relationship between courts and communities, from televising or webcasting proceedings to sharing
information online. What does this mean for the judiciary? Constitutional rights?
The Future of Rights in the Digital Era
This conference theme will consider how the digital era has inspired calls for new “rights” in the both the
United States and abroad, including the “digital bill of rights,” a “Magna Carta for the internet,” and “the
right to be forgotten.”
Presentation Types
Proposals are being accepted for the following presentation formats:
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Session (45-minute): Presentations that demonstrate best teaching practices and include
opportunities for audience participation.
www.ambar.org/lre2015
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Poster presentation (30-minute): Opportunity for presenters to illustrate an innovative lesson,
teaching strategy, research results, or other new resource for law-related education in a lessformal setting.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated primarily on the following criteria:
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Relationship to the theme, “The Bill of Rights in the Digital Era”
Stated objectives and intellectual content
Classroom application and accessibility
Opportunities for audience interaction
All proposals will be reviewed blind (no names attached) and scored by multiple reviewers. Presenters
will be notified of their proposal acceptance via email by June 15, 2015.
Presentation Materials & Audio-Visual Equipment
Presenters are responsible for providing any materials they plan to use or distribute during their
presentation. They are also responsible for costs associated with additional audio-visual equipment, if
applicable. LCD projectors and screens will be provided at no cost, and speakers will be available, but
additional equipment, including laptops, HDMI/MAC/VGA adapters, and projector remotes are the
responsibility of the presenter. Presenters of accepted proposals will receive confirmation of audiovisual
equipment needs from the ABA.
Presenter Registration
All presenters are required to register for the conference by August 1, 2015. Online registration will open
in the coming months, and all presenters will receive instructions for completion.
Commercial Solicitation
Any presentations representing commercial interests must be educational in nature. If the objective of a
proposed presentation is to promote books, materials, or other services for sale, it will not be accepted.
Submitting a Proposal
All proposals must be submitted online using the proposal submission form at www.ambar.org/lre2015.
The following information is required for the proposal submission form:
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Contact information for all presenters
Presentation title & type
Target audience (ex. K-12 educators, civic education professionals, legal professionals)
50-word abstract
Description of how presentation relates to the conference theme
List of presentation objectives
Description of presentation content & strategies
Audiovisual needs
3-sentence biographical statements for all presenters
Deadline to submit proposals is Friday, May 15, 2015.
www.ambar.org/lre2015