Kent LLM students enjoyed a talk on the importance of environmental law expertise by Dr Bettina Lange from the University of Oxford on Monday 12 November, as part of the Law School’s 2018/19 Environmental Law Seminars Series.
Dr Lange, an Associate Professor in Law and Regulation at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, has research interests in: EU, UK and German environmental regulation; qualitative empirical socio-legal research methods (including discourse analysis); and socio-legal theories of regulation (including the role of emotions in regulatory processes). She is currently working on a research project that examines the role of environmental science knowledge in the management of water resources in the UK, including during periods of drought.
For her talk, entitled ‘We’ve had enough of experts? Why environmental law expertise matters’, Dr Lange spoke about problems created by production and consumption, types of environmental law expertise, and the ways in which environmental problems are systemically complex. She highlighted the importance of gaining expertise in environmental law by referencing problems with air pollution in Germany.
Kent LLM student Kaewpim Rungsimunpaiboon, said: ‘Overall, the discussion encouraged attendees to be aware of the importance of expertise in the field of environmental law, particularly as environmental problems are cross cutting, and it can be difficult to distinguish between facts and values. Contributions and support provided by international experts in environmental law is also important. Lawyers must have an understanding of environmental problems and the empirical consequences of the law. To enhance environmental protection and expertise, there must be cooperation between Operators and Regulators.’
This month’s seminar was organised for LLM students by the student committee comprising Nicha Phamonbutr, Kaewpim Rungsimunpaiboon and Bangura Dauda Laingay.
Environmental law at Kent
Environmental law is a recognised and long-established area of teaching and research expertise at Kent Law School. Academics, including Professor William Howarth and Dr Martin Hedemann-Robinson, are engaged in research across a number of areas of environmental law, with research spanning international, European and national law and policy. The Law School’s Environmental Law Seminar Series has been designed specifically for LLM (Master’s in Law) students with an interest in the environmental law modules offered at Kent.
Kent LLM students can graduate on the International Environmental Law and Policy pathway by (i) opting to study at least three (out of six) modules from those associated with the pathway of their choice and by (ii) focusing the topic of their dissertation on their chosen pathway. Students can also study environmental law in combination with other areas offered by the Law School.
A record of previous talks held as part of the Law School Environmental Law Seminar Series is available on our news blog.