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 Pictou, Naiomi 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 VanderZwaag, Patrícia 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 Seck, Patrícia 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 Seck, Patrícia 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 Ross, Sara Seck
Trade, Investment, Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change
More information to come
Faculty Research Leads: Olabisi Akinkugbe
Explore MELAW's research strength by learning about our research projects and discovering our research partners.
