Pranav graduated from legal studies from National Law Institute University, Bhopal in 2020. He graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Oxford’s Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) programme in 2021. At Oxford, he won the Faculty of Law Prize in International Environmental Law. He is a recipient of J N Tata Endowment Scholarship (2020-21). His areas of interest lie in international environmental law and the law of the sea. He is keen on exploring the intersections between environmental problems and human rights. He has published articles titled ‘The Devadasis, Dance Community of South India: A Legal and Social Outlook’, International Journal on Minority and Group Rights, “Heathrow Runway and Mopa: The Limits of the Law’s Role in Environmental Impact Management”, National Law School of India Review (2020) and ‘Are you there, Humanity? It’s me, Refugee: Solidarity during COVID-19’, BonafideVoices (2020). He has a book chapter titled, “The demise of Natural Prolongation: How the Continental Shelf was ridded of a foundational concept” in International Law and Contemporary Framework (2021). He has also published an article titled, “Climate Change and Fundamental Freedoms: The German Constitutional Court Orders Legislature to Rectify Climate Change Law,” Oxford Human Rights Hub (2021). 

Interview

What made you choose to apply at NLU Delhi? 

NLU Delhi’s advertisement for the position of Academic Fellows caught my eye, not just because it was described as entailing a blend of research and teaching, but also because it indicated to me that NLU Delhi is trying to be innovative as an institution. The support for the burgeoning institutional research centres provided by NLU Delhi suggested to me that it seeks to be at the forefront in contributing towards legal research. This convinced me of the credibility of the value that NLU Delhi would attach to the fellowship position they were advertising, and the value that fellows like me could get out of working for NLU Delhi. 

What made you choose research and teaching as a career? 

I arrived at the decision to pursue this career by a process of elimination. I am eager to learn more about the areas of law that I am passionate about, and it seemed to me (based on my work experience in different places- from law firms to chambers to NGOs) that this career path would best suit that desire. While learning could certainly occur in any career trajectory that a lawyer may take, I doubt that the kind learning that occurs through teaching can occur elsewhere.

What is your area of interest, and what excites you about it? 

My areas of interest are international environmental law and environmental law generally. The interest took shape while I was pursuing my undergraduate studies at National Law Institute University, Bhopal. The training I received from Professors Lavanya Rajamani, Liz Fisher and Catherine Redgwell during my postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford served as the final push for me to make a career out of researching and contributing towards environmental law scholarship. 

How do you see yourself contributing to NLU Delhi as an Academic Fellow?

I strongly believe that there is an imminent need for mainstreaming climate change law and governance within the academic curriculum in Indian universities, and for Indian universities to engage actively in conversations about climate justice. Climate change is a complex environmental problem, and the best response to it requires mainstreaming and integrating climate concerns into all areas of law and legal activity. Through my scholarship and teaching, I would like to contribute by working to ensure that the university will produce well rounded climate lawyers and become a key player as an institution engaged in climate change research and advocacy.