I was honoured to be selected as a John Peters Humphrey fellow in 2012-2013, the first year of my doctoral studies in law at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.  The scholarship gave me the opportunity to explore the field of international law and develop the research question to be explored in my thesis, which is about the development of animal-protective norms in international law and in particular in the (perhaps rather unexpected) area of international trade law.  More than that, being chosen for this honour gave me confidence in my own potential as an international legal scholar and in my contributions to the field.  It also inspired me to learn more about the work of John Peters Humphrey, especially in pioneering international human rights law and in developing international legal pedagogy.  

 

 

"The Humphrey fellowship was an important part of getting me here, and I am very grateful for the recognition and the inspiration."

 

 

Since I was awarded the Humphrey Fellowship, I have become a member of the CCIL Board and a regular presenter at the Annual Conference.  I have published several articles on international law and animal protection.  Most recently, the George Washington International Law Review published “Pluralism in Practice: Moral Legislation and the Law of the WTO After Seal Products,” co-written by Rob Howse of NYU, Jo Langille of NYU / University of Toronto, and me.  In the summer of 2015, the European Journal of International Law accepted my article “The Appeal to Science and the Formation of Global Animal Law” for  publication.  I am co-editor with Peter Sankoff and Vaughan Black of Canadian Perspectives on Animals and the Law (Irwin Law, 2015), which includes a chapter – again a joint effort by me, Rob Howse and Jo Langille – on international law.  I am an assistant professor of law at Thompson Rivers University, where I have been since 2013, and teach international trade law as well as other subjects.  I am very fortunate to have a fascinating and fulfilling career that gives me the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge international legal issues.  The Humphrey fellowship was an important part of getting me here, and I am very grateful for the recognition and the inspiration.