Professor Petra Minnerop

Professor of International Law at Durham Law School and Deputy Executive Dean (Global) of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health

What do you do?

I am a Professor of International Law at Durham Law School and Deputy Executive Dean (Global) of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health. I hold a PhD in Public International Law from the University of Göttingen, Germany, and I am a member of the German Bar. At Durham, I chair the University’s United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Group and serve as the founding Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy.

How are you involved in this area of science? 

I am interested in the science/law intersection in the context of sustainability. Science can inform legislation and litigation. In the context of space exploration, scientific progress necessitates new laws and regulatory approaches.

What do you love about this topic?

The science and law intersection is constantly evolving and it promises new solutions for global challenges such as climate change. The information flows both ways, legal criteria can also stimulate new scientific research, for example in the area of climate change.

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

The real world impact depends on the work with beneficiaries and these include industry partners, government agencies and communities. It is exciting to hear from a range of stakeholders and to work with them.