Dear colleagues Dr Harikrishnan Sasikumar (Dublin City University) and I are pleased to share a call for papers for a panel titled 'Comparative Federalism: Federal questions in divided societies' (Panel 9.4) we are organising at the next SISP (Italian Political Science Association) conference in Naples, 4-6 September. This panel explores how federal and devolutionary reforms impact divided societies, particularly within European states dealing with ethnic, linguistic, political, and regional conflicts. It critically assesses the effectiveness of such reforms in providing representation for minorities, achieving institutional stability, and managing calls for independence or autonomy. Key discussions include the paradox wherein decentralization aimed at pacifying discontented communities may instead intensify separatist demands. The panel also examines the role of the European Union in reshaping central-regional relations and evaluates lessons learned from case studies in states such as Belgium, France, Italy, Ireland, Spain, and the UK. The panel also seeks to emphasise both the historical outcomes of federal reforms and future constitutional possibilities. More details on the panel can be found here<https://www.sisp.it/convegno2025/?pagename=cms&name=sessiontracks&trackname=federalism--regional-and-local-studies>. Proposals can be submitted via the SISP website here<https://www.sisp.it/convegno-2025/call-for-papers>. Submission deadline is 25 May. For further information please contact j.arlow@liverpool.ac.uk<mailto:j.arlow@liverpool.ac.uk> or harikrishnan.sasikumar@dcu.ie<mailto:harikrishnan.sasikumar@dcu.ie>. Regards Jonathan Dr Jonathan Arlow Marie Curie Research Fellow Department of Politics University of Liverpool 8-14 Abercromby Square Liverpool L69 7WZ