Developing a Science around Whether, When and How International Law Can Address Global Challenges

ouc purple square logo

Introducing a pioneering approach to ‘global legal epidemiology’, Prof Steven Hoffman will discuss legal mechanisms available for coordinating international responses to transnational problems, their prospects, and their challenges.  Global legal epidemiology is the scientific study of international law as a factor in the cause, distribution, and promotion of outcomes around the world. It involves evaluating the effectiveness of international legal mechanisms on the basis of their quantifiable effects and drawing implications for the development of future treaties.

Prof Hoffman will draw on examples from public health, including tobacco control and antimicrobial resistance, identifying wider lessons for potential international treaties in other domains such as the environment, human rights and trade.

Speaker: Professor Steven J. Hoffman (Oxford Martin School Visiting Fellow)

Steven J. Hoffman is the Director of the Global Strategy Lab, a Professor of Global Health, Law, and Political Science at York University, and the Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Population & Public Health. He holds courtesy appointments as a Professor of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics (Part-Time) at McMaster University and Adjunct Professor of Global Health & Population at Harvard University. He is an international lawyer licensed in both Ontario and New York who specializes in global health law, global governance and institutional design. His research integrates analytical, empirical and big data approaches to craft global regulatory strategies that better address transnational health threats, social inequalities and human rights challenges. Past studies have focused on access to medicines, antimicrobial resistance, health misinformation, pandemics and tobacco control.

Followed by drinks reception until 7.45pm.

You can book your place here.

 

Humanities & the Public Good

Humanities & Science

Audience: Open to all