New Durham Law School Visiting Professor Announced

The Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy (CSDLP) is delighted to welcome Professor Lorenzo Cotula as a Visiting Professor at Durham Law School.

Lorenzo is Principal Researcher in Law, Economies and Justice at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), where he leads research and policy work examining the role of law in promoting fair and sustainable economies. His work spans international law, economic governance, human rights, environmental law, natural resource governance and sustainable development, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective to some of the most pressing global challenges.

Lorenzo has worked extensively with multilateral organisations, governments, civil society and research institutions to translate research into practical policy impact. His experience includes supporting legal empowerment initiatives, contributing to national law reform processes and engaging in international talks on sustainable development, economic law and natural resource governance.

Alongside his role at IIED, Lorenzo has held a number of visiting academic appointments, including as Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde Law School between 2017 and 2023. He has also held visiting affiliations with the Universities of Dundee and Warwick. Before joining IIED in 2002, he worked as a research consultant to the Legal Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The CSDLP looks forward to working with Lorenzo during his Visiting Professorship and to the valuable contributions his internationally recognised expertise will bring to the Centre's research, teaching and wider engagement activities.