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Energy and Climate Change Law Institute
  1. Energy and Climate Change Law Institute
  2. PhD programme

PhD programme

Oil rig in the middle of the ocean with a flame coming out of it

The Energy & Climate Change Law Institute accepts PhD students in all areas related to energy law. We have a growing number of PhD students at the Energy & Climate Change Law Institute researching a range of on energy topics. PhD students are encouraged to participate in all of the activities of the institute from teaching, supervising LLM dissertation students and speaking at conferences. Attendance at the energy fundamentals is open to our PhD students.

The institute considers our PhD students to be a central part of our research programme in particular on the future challenges facing the energy sector. Of particular interest are research projects on the impact of the energy transition and climate change disputes. Please consult the profiles of the energy law academics for areas of interest. For more information or to discuss PhD plans, contact Ms Norah Gallagher at n.gallagher@qmul.ac.uk.

Find out more about the PhD programme.

PhD Application

A candidate interested in pursuing a PhD at The Institute should contact the relevant academic to discuss their research proposal. We cannot guarantee an offer will be made but this will help with refining your chosen research topic. Please note that there are a number of funding opportunities available to PhD students at Queen Mary University of London each year.

Current Topics

Current topics of our PhD students include:

  • The Evolution of a Global Perspective in International Energy Law (submitted April 2020 pending viva)
  • Legal Risks for Financing Electricity Power Generation Assets
  • The Myth of “State Contract” in the Energy Industry: Empirical Gap Between the Intentions of Parties and the Interpretation of Contracts by Arbitral Tribunals
  • Property Rights, Indigenous Peoples and Foreign Investment: An International and Constitutional Law Study of the Mexican Energy Reform
  • Harnessing Iranian oil and gas for sustainable development: a socio-legal approach
  • State Liability in Investment Treaty Arbitration for Separatist-Committed Acts
I was delighted to be awarded the inaugural Energy Law PhD scholarship in 2016 after completing the LLM in Energy and Natural Law Resources at the ELI. With the support of the ELI I was able to spend some time in the USA to conduct empirical research on the evolution of international energy law. During my three years, my research became more focused on inter-disciplinary themes on the transition to sustainable energy; environmental, social, & governance issues; energy justice; and the role of technology in shaping a more sustainable energy future. I had the opportunity to work as a teaching and research assistant as well as speak at international forums around the world. The experience was challenging but fun and informative.
— Tedd Moya Mose, PhD Student
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