Events Calendar

Capital Punishment Conference on the Death Penalty and Religion

April 4–5, 2025 | Eidman Courtroom, University of Texas School of Law

Join us for a two-day interdisciplinary conference exploring the intersection of religion and the American death penalty. The event will bring together leading voices in law, history, theology, journalism, and public service to discuss how faith traditions, spiritual perspectives, and moral reasoning shape attitudes toward capital punishment The conference will begin on Friday, April 4 at 9:00 AM and conclude on Saturday, April 5 by 12:00 PM. We are honored to welcome Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, as our keynote speaker on Friday from 12:30–1:45 PM. Confirmed Speakers and Panelists Include: • Amrith Kaur Aakre – District Director, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission • Steve Collis – University of Texas School of Law • Dr. Rachel Ellis – Baltimore, MD • Daniel LaChance – Associate Professor of History, Emory University • Douglas Laycock – University of Texas / University of Virginia • Marah McLeod – University of Notre Dame Law School • Mark Osler – University of St. Thomas School of Law • Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ – Ministry Against the Death Penalty • Jeremy Schepers – Federal Defender, Northern District of Texas • Professor Carol Steiker – Harvard Law School • Winnifred Sullivan – Indiana University • Rev. Bri-anne Swan – United Church of Canada • Adnan Zulfiqar – Associate Professor of Law, Boston College UT faculty and Capital Punishment Center members—Douglas Laycock, Jim Marcus, Jordan Steiker, Lee Kovarsky, Raoul Schonemann, Steve Collis, and Thea Posel—will also participate as moderators and panelists throughout the conference.

Presented by: The Capital Punishment Center at the University of Texas School of Law