A Research Agenda for Disaster Law

This timely Research Agenda provides both an introduction to the field of disaster law and a detailed critique of current debates in law and practice. It analyses legal rights and obligations against the background of devastating impacts of natural and human-made hazards, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and pandemics.

International experts delineate the boundaries of disaster law, exploring its intersections with international law and politics while fostering an improved understanding to help minimise risks. They identify key priorities and knowledge gaps covering topics such as disaster ethics, the use of technology, human rights, and regional legal frameworks. This Research Agenda maps the terrain of environmental destruction, assesses the root causes of disasters, and identifies those most vulnerable in crises. It also addresses how climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, examining the aftermath and legal implications of these in a way that sheds light on the most resilient path forward.

Indicating avenues for future academic enquiry, this Research Agenda is a crucial resource for scholars and students of law and development, international law, and environmental law, governance and regulation. It also provides actionable insights for disaster and humanitarian practitioners and policymakers.