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The plan by a major U.S. academic association, the Law and Society Association (LSA), to host its June 2027 annual meeting in Hong Kong has triggered strong resistance from legal scholars. [1, 2, 3]
Academics and researchers have raised serious concerns regarding the safety, academic freedom, and data security of the international conference under the city’s tightened political climate. [1, 2]
Key Concerns Raised by Scholars
Legal scholars argue that holding an event focused on sociolegal studies in Hong Kong is highly problematic due to several key factors: [1]
- Harassment and Scrutiny: Academics fear personal harassment and undue scrutiny by Hong Kong authorities and Beijing officials during their stay. [1, 2]
- Censorship: There are deep concerns that open academic discussions, particularly regarding human rights or governance, will be actively censored or restricted. [1]
- Data Security: Scholars worry about the potential infringement of data privacy, including the tracking of digital devices, communications, and research materials by local authorities. [1]
The Context of the Event
- The Organization: The Law and Society Association is a prominent U.S.-based academic association dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of law and social phenomena. [1, 2]
- The Timeline: The resistance comes ahead of the scheduled conference, which is planned to take place at the University of Hong Kong from June 22 to June 25, 2027. [1, 2]
- Growing Skepticism: The pushback highlights a broader trend of growing caution among global academics regarding engagement with Hong Kong following Beijing’s implementation of sweeping national security laws in the territory. [1]
For further details and developing viewpoints on this event, you can follow the ongoing coverage reported by 
?Nikkei Asia. [1] PAYWALL
?Nikkei Asia. [1] PAYWALL
