Law at the End of the World

In this episode, Mihnea Tănăsescu joins us to discuss his groundbreaking research on Ecocene Politics. Mihnea reflects on how we can conceptualise human relationships with nature, with particular attention to learning from place-based restoration projects and Indigenous legal systems. We critically explore how hope, despair, and lucidity can help or hinder our attempts to make sense of the ecological challenges communities are facing around the world. We also discuss the ways that legal and p...

In this episode, Cristy interviews Liz about her Blue Carbon Futures research program. While it’s been claimed that blue carbon ecosystems can sequester up to 10 times more carbon than terrestrial forests, the legal frameworks needed to protect and restore them are fragmented, contested, and in many cases, underdeveloped. Liz unpacks how ownership disputes, traditional land law boundaries, and colonial legacies create hurdles for Indigenous communities trying to restore and finance these vita...

In this episode, Cristy and Liz share Part Two of their LSAANZ Conference special on Rights and Resilience. The episode brings highlights from the December 2025 Law and Society Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, held in Ōtautahi Chirstchurch. The theme of the Conference was Rights, Relationality, Resilience, Reciprocity, and this episode focuses on sharing insights and advances from days two and three of the Conference - including book launches, Conference dinner, and ...

In this conversation, César Rodríguez-Garavito (NYU Law) reflects on his fascinating academic career, explaining his drive to produce 'action research' that enables a positive impact for communities and the environment. He reflects on the balance between academic commitments and advocacy work (especially for Indigenous communities), the critical importance of distributed teams of collaborators, and his innovative approach to using art and multimedia to attract attention to an important cause....

In this episode we are joined by critical environmental law scholar Emily Jones to explore the intersections of environmental law, feminism, and academia. Emily discusses her personal journey into academia, the role of feminist theory in environmental law, and the implications of post-human feminism. She makes the case for including more-than-human-rights in the concept of future generations, and discusses the eay in which feminist legal theory can help everyone. We also discuss the importanc...

In this episode, Cristy Clark and Elizabeth Macpherson explore the intersections of climate change with the rights of children, future generations, and to care, as well as the question of how to have an impact as an academic. Our guest Aoife Nolan shares her journey into legal academia and beyond, discussing her commitment to children's rights and socio-economic justice. She explores the interconnections between austerity politics and rights, and her approach to balancing academic work with p...

In this episode of 'Law at the End of the World', hosts Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark discuss the intersection of environmental law and human rights, and launch Cristy's new book, Legal Geographies of Water: The Spaces, Places and Narratives of Human-Water Relations. Cristy and Liz explore the lessons from the wideranging water governance case studies in Cristy's groundbreaking book, including England and Wales, Flint and Detroit, Chile, South Africa, Manila and the Whanganui River in...

In this special episode of Law at the End of the World, we feature a discussion with leading ocean governance experts Dr Karen Fisher, Dr Emily Parke, Associate Professor Dan Hikuroa & Linda Faulkner. Recorded live during an event aligned with the UN Oceans Conference in Nice, they dive into the future of ocean law and governance. Guests unpack the complexities of marine regulation, urging inclusive approaches that centre Indigenous knowledge, local perspectives, and western science. Liz ...

In this episode of Law at the End of the World, we’re joined by Dr Birsha Ohdedar - legal scholar, climate justice advocate, and thinker on post-growth futures. Birsha shares his academic journey, insights on navigating the tensions between scholarly work and real-world impact, and reflections on law's role in climate and environmental justice. He speaks on the promise of post-growth frameworks, prefigurative legalities, and the importance of slowing down to reimagine what law can do. Reflect...

Summary In this episode of Law at the End of the World, Elizabeth Macpherson speaks with our guest Dr Ritodhi Chakraborty about his journey into academia. He shares highlights the importance of the humanities and social sciences in contributing to the world's most pressing issues and that environmental sciences could benefit from expanding into alternative knowledges to ensure their work is grounded in diverse knowledge systems. He introduces the concept of maladaptation, critique...