The role of international economic law in environmental policy

Overview

This is an opportunity for a person from an underrepresented group to undertake a fully funded masters degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex.

Only UK domiciled applicants who do not already have a Master’s degree and who meet the following criteria may apply:

• Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during their undergraduate studies.

and/or

Be one of the following categories of ethnicity:

• Black African
• Black Caribbean
• Black Other
• Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
• Mixed – White and Black African
• Other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean and Black Other)

The successful applicant would study an appropriate masters degree, such as:

• LLM in Public International Law 
• LLM in Law, Environment and Sustainability 
• LLM in International Human Rights Law and Economic Law 

International economic law has a dynamic relationship with environmental policy making.  This  research project will investigate how international economic law, including soft or hard law facilitates or hinders environmental policy decision-making, outputs and effectiveness. The research will be expected to investigate these questions in the broader context of a global policy crisis in which environmental, economic and national security challenges intersect and amplify one another. It is therefore increasingly necessary to investigate how the different constituent parts of international economic law relate to environmental policy owing to a changing international landscape where trade, investment, finance, the environment and international politics are inextricably connected. 

Interdisciplinary focus

A synthesised approach using the disciplines of Law and Government is needed to further our understanding of international economic law and environmental governance. Specifically, the object of this project is to question the impact of the key areas of international economic law on environmental policy and performance. A mixed-methods design including among others legal analysis and analysis of secondary data will be needed for this project.

Training and support

You will be supported through the Sustainable Transitions training programme which provides initial training in interdisciplinary research methods, training in the secondary discipline within the project area and ongoing training throughout the duration of the programme. All doctoral scholars benefit from the support of Proficio which entitles you to £2,500 that can be used to purchase training courses either within or external to the University. Additionally Sustainable Transitions scholars are entitled to £10,000 that can be used to cover research costs and further training. Scholars are encouraged to audit masters and degree level course where appropriate. You will also have the support of the Sustainable Transitions management team, as well as your own supervisory team.  All Sustainable Transitions scholars will become part of the University of Essex’s Centre for Environment and Society, through which ongoing events and networking opportunities are available.  

Person specification

This opportunity would suit a candidate with a degree/ background in law with an interest in political science.. However experience in political science is not necessary and the postgraduate year provide the successful applicant  with  essential training in research methods. 

Research proposal

The project area is broadly defined, leaving scope for the applicant to develop their own specific research proposal as part of the application.  The successful candidate will further develop their proposal in close consultation with the supervisory team.  

Supervision

The primary discipline supervisor takes the lead responsibility for supervising the project. For further detail relating to supervision see the Guidance for Applicants (.docx) document.

Additional background information

We need to better understand the barriers to ambitious environmental and climate action, and to formulate strategies and solutions. This project seeks to investigate how international economic law  impacts on environmental policy. International economic law has always sought to strike a balance between free-trade, the security of the interests of investors and their businesses and other interests such as the environment and human rights. Increasingly the policies of states and the international community within this sphere have come under scrutiny as international economic law has been deemed responsible for negative outcomes for the environment whilst providing stability for business and industry. The objective of this project is to examine the role played by national and international legal instruments governing international trade and investment on environmental policy. In other words, the successful candidate will investigate the impact  of international economic law on environmental policy decision making and implementation in the future. 

How to Apply

Full details available at Sustainable Transitions Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme.

Supervisory team references

1. Bueno, N., Yilmaz Vastardis, A. and Ngueuleu Djeuga, I., (2023). Investor Human Rights and Environmental Obligations: The need to redesign corporate social responsibility clauses. Journal of World Investment and Trade. 24 (2), 179-216 
2. Bakaki, Z., Bohmelt, T. and Ward, H., (2022). Carbon Emission Performance and Regime Type – The Role of Inequality. Global Environmental Politics. 22 (2), 156-179 
3. Bakaki, Z., (2022). The impact of climate summits. Nature Climate Change. 12 (7), 611-612
4. Yilmaz Vastardis, A. and Chambers, R., (2018). Overcoming the Corporate Veil Challenge: Could Investment Law Inspire the Proposed Business and Human Rights Treaty?. International and Comparative Law Quarterly. 67 (2), 389-423
5. Bakaki, Z. and Bohmelt, T., (2023). New Deals “The Second After Leaving?” IO Withdrawal and Bilateral Trade. The British Journal of Politics and International Relations. 25 (3), 405-422