From our perch on the Pacific Rim, Allard Law reaches the world. Our scholars are engaged in global conversations, and publish around the world in all areas of legal research. Our JD program was the first in Canada to include compulsory international law studies, our graduate program draws top students from around the world, and all students have opportunities for international exchange and learning.
Research
Our faculty contribute to leading scholarship, the practice of law, the development of policy, and the advancement of civil society in Canada and around the globe.
We actively build and facilitate research networks through our research networks, programs, and centres. Allard Law is a world leader in areas as diverse as feminist legal studies, Asian law, Indigenous Legal Studies, criminal law, environmental law, business law, family law, human rights law, international law, African law and society, law and cities, and migration law. The intellectual community is enriched by visiting scholars from our global exchange partners and beyond. Faculty visiting through our Visiting Scholars Program have opportunities to present work in the faculty colloquium, engage with researchers in our graduate program, and teach intensive classes in our JD program.
GLOBAL SOUTH VISITING SCHOLAR
We were pleased to recently host Usha Natarajan, one of the world’s leading scholars in Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL). Professor Natarajan spent her time here meeting with faculty and students and providing her perspective on issues around global inequity.
PROFESSOR SARA GHEBREMUSSE
Professor Sara Ghebremusse investigates how different stakeholders in African mining transactions define transparency as a transnational mining governance norm, and the implication of these varying definitions.
Teaching and Learning
JD students have the opportunity to study abroad at a partner law school, available in over 20 institutions world-wide, for part of their law degree. We also offer joint legal education programs, including with the University of Hong Kong and the University of Melbourne. In addition to these programs, experiential opportunities with the International Justice and Human Rights Clinic, the Jessup International Moot, the Oxford International Intellectual Property Moot, the Ian Fletcher International Insolvency Law Moot and the Vis International Arbitration Moot, provide students with real-world exposure while connecting with practitioners and students abroad.
The Executive Learning Program in Mining Law and Sustainability, launched in 2021 and unique in Canada because of its focus on sustainability and Indigenous issues, further extends our international reach in the area of legal education.
We are fortunate to welcome a diverse cohort of graduate students each year, representing a wide range of research interests and perspectives. Visit our research stories to learn more about the kinds of scholarly work that our faculty and students are involved with.
SASHA VUKOVIC
Sasha Vukovic was a third year law student enrolled at the International Justice and Human Rights Clinic whose research paper led to a presentation at the world’s highest criminal court - The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
GIDEON ODIONU
Gideon Odionu is a PhD student and a 2020 UBC Sustainability Scholar. His research seeks to identify international and domestic legal tools for integrating sustainable development into investment law so that foreign investment supports the fight against climate change.
Community
Close to 9,000 Allard School of Law alumni are practicing in approximately 40 countries worldwide, in a broad range of spheres—from the legal profession and the judiciary to business, government and academia. We have active alumni groups in Hong Kong and London who meet frequently and are engaged with the law school in many ways. If you are looking to connect with an alumnus in another country, please reach out to our alumni relations office.