Miriam Cullen

What do you research?

My research critically examines whether and how law can advance resilience in the context of climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainability, and avoid marginalisation and exclusion in those processes. I am particularly interested in notions of social sustainability, critical perspectives on international law and decolonizing research practice. I lead a DFF funded project examining the rights of indigenous peoples in the context of climate change (case studies in Greenland and the Cook Islands) and co-founded and direct the Nordic Network on Climate-Related Displacement and Mobility. I have over 19 years of experience in human rights law and practice and direct the course “Climate Change, Disaster and Human Mobility”, having also taught courses in public international law, disaster management, international migration law, international criminal law, and human rights law. I am finalizing a book entitled “A Research Agenda for Climate and Migration Law” (commissioned by the publisher).

Why is it so important?

Climate change is not the problem, it is a symptom of the problem. We need to rethink the way we govern, the way we view and manage earth’s resources, our approach to food, to mobility, the value we place on capital and exploitation, the way we live in order to meet the needs of future generations. My research contributes to a body of research that questions core assumptions in our international legal system, and that values alternative voices at a time when they so badly need to be heard. I seek to reinterpret international law in ways that minimize exploitative practices, expose instances of greenwashing and bluewashing, and protect nature.

A project you are proud of?

I am most proud of the projects that have had real world impact. I am proud that I theorized a claim to the UN Human Rights Committee against Australia on indigenous rights and climate change that later became a reality (and succeeded). I am proud to have independently negotiated a range of human rights resolutions before the UN General Assembly on behalf of the Australian Government, on human trafficking, torture, extreme poverty, social development, and the protection of migrants. I am proud of my current work on the Advisory Committee to the Platform on Disaster Displacement, and previous work in trials before the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, as well as all the various law reform projects and parliamentary committee inquiries I led towards legislative change.

Updated December 2022

Through her participation in the Mary Centre’s Policy Fellowship, Miriam has among others worked with Sigrid Bjerre Andersen, Climate Political Adviser in Global Focus (Policy Fellowship 2022-23 - Green Transition).