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Research

Key research areas

Aboriginal & Indigenous law

Our research on Aboriginal and Indigenous law explores the impact of judicial interpretations of Canadian Aboriginal law on environmental and fisheries governance, as well as the content and implementation of Indigenous resource governance and laws, including gender dimensions.

Faculty Research Leads: Sherry PictouNaiomi Metallic

Animal agriculture law and policy

Our research on animal agriculture law and policy looks at the regulation of industrial animal agriculture, in terms of its environmental consequences and its impacts on animal and human well-being. For example, research explores the exceptional treatment of industrial agriculture in the context of environmental regulations and labour law.

Faculty Research Leads: Jodi Lazare

Arctic governance

Our research on arctic governance covers the Arctic Council, law of the sea, energy, resource management, boundary disputes, shipping, biodiversity protection, environmental law and climate change.  We work collaboratively with partners in Canada and around the world, including Asia, Australia, China, the EU, Norway, the Russian Federation, and the US.

Faculty Research Leads: Aldo Chircop, Phillip Saunders, David VanderZwaag

Canadian, comparative and international Maritime law and policy

Our research in the maritime field covers a broad range of issues concerning the Canadian public and private law of marine transportation and maritime labour, frequently in comparison to neighbouring or similar jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and United States. Research also covers the international maritime and labour conventions of the International Maritime Organization and International Labour Organization respectively.

Faculty Research Leads: Aldo Chircop, Sara Ross

Climate change and energy law and policy

Our research in climate change and energy is based on the proposition that climate change and sustainable energy combine to present human kind with one of the great challenges of our time.  Our research explores both the challenges we face and possible solutions.  Specific research topics include the UNFCCC climate negotiations, national and subnational law and policy approaches to climate change, offshore energy law and policy, and technology governance.

Faculty Research Leads: Phillip Saunders, David VanderZwaagPatrícia Galvão Ferreira

Coastal and ocean law, policy and management

Our research in this area has an interdisciplinary focus and focuses on coastal law in support of integrated coastal zone management from comparative perspectives. Management of fisheries, aquaculture and marine species at risk are special areas of emphasis. MELAW is the editorial home office of the international interdisciplinary Ocean Yearbook and the co-editors are MELAW Associates.

Faculty Research Leads: Aldo Chircop, David VanderZwaag, Sara Seck, Sara Ross

Food systems law and policy

more info to come

Faculty Research Leads: Jamie Baxter

Human rights & environmental law

Our research on human rights and environmental law explores domestic and international law frameworks that clarify state obligations and business responsibilities to prevent and remedy environmental and climate justice. Research topics explored under this theme have considered gender and extractive industries, human rights and oceans governance, and human rights approaches to plastic pollution.

Faculty Research Lead: Sara SeckPatrícia Galvão Ferreira

International environmental law and governance

Our research in the field of international environmental law and governance includes management of long-range transport of pollutants, the control of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes, biodiversity protection, transboundary resource management, and trade and environment. A particular focus has been the implementation of precautionary and ecosystem approaches, and regulatory design.

Faculty Research Leads: David VanderZwaag, Sara SeckPatrícia Galvão Ferreira

International law of the sea

Our research in this area has included a range of topics related to the development and implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.  Among the many research topics are maritime boundary issues, jurisdiction over the high seas and the seabed, marine environmental protection, and coastal governance in light of jurisdiction over territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.

Faculty Research Leads: Aldo Chircop, Phillip Saunders, David VanderZwaag, Sara RossSara Seck

Trade, Investment, Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change

More information to come

Faculty Research Leads:  Olabisi Akinkugbe 


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