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In this episode, Cristy and Liz share Part One of their LSAANZ Conference special on Relationality and Reciprocity.  The episode brings highlights from the December 2025 Law and Society Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, held in Ōtautahi Chirstchurch. The theme of the conference was Rights, Relationality, Resilience, Reciprocity, and this episode focuses on sharing insights and advances from day one of the conference - including the early career workshop, conference opening, reception, and book prizes. The core hilight of the episode is a recording from the first keynote panel presentation on Relationality and Reciprocity with Māori leader Gerrard Albert (Whanganui Iwi), First Nations leader, scholar, activist and artist Professor Anne Poelina (University of Notre Dame and Martuwarra River Council), beautifully curated by Associate Professor Erin O'Donnell (University of Melbourne, Birrarung Council). The episode is the first of two episodes bringing Conference highlights, and focuses on the Conference themes of Relationality and Reciprocity, with particular focus on these concepts in the context of water governance, climate change, and Indigenous sovereignty. Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this conversation, César Rodríguez-Garavito (NYU Law) reflects on his fascinating academic career, explaining his drive to produce 'action research' that enables a positive impact for communities and the environment. He reflects on the balance between academic commitments and advocacy work (especially for Indigenous communities), the critical importance of distributed teams of collaborators, and his innovative approach to using art and multimedia to attract attention to an important cause. The discussion also covers the origins and evolution of the More-than-Human Life programme he leads at NYU, his hacks for personal career management, and advice for early career researchers seeking to make meaningful contributions beyond academia. Cristy and Liz round off with their environmental law updates, including international and transnational developments around climate change, river rights and the rights of nature, changes to fast track and climate legislation in Aotearoa New Zealand and environmental legislation in Australia, and the latest environmental case law developments from around the globe. César Rodríguez-Garavito Moth - More Than Human Life Amphibious research The Earth Rights Research & Action (TERRA NYU Law) - Center for Human Rights and Global Justice The Thesis Whisperer Ecuador’s Voters Protect Rights of Nature, Reject Proposal to Rewrite Constitution Preservación ecosistémica: Por primera vez MOP declara reservas de aguas en cuencas de ríos Futaleufú y Puelo Lady Tureiti Moxon’s human rights complaint accepted by the United Nations New Zealand awarded dubious 'Fossil of the Day' at COP30 climate talks Key-concerns-with-the-Fast-track-Approvals-Amendment-Bill.pdf  EXPLAINER: Changes announced to the Climate Change Response Act 2002  Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode of Law at the End of the World, we kick off our new ‘Research Skills Series’. In this first installment, Liz shares her extensive experience of obtaining and administering research funding in a practical, skills-focused discussion. She covers her grant history (successes and failures), key lessons about writing successful applications, common misconceptions, and the realities of managing and delivering grant-funded projects. Liz emphasises the importance of building relationships, writing for interdisciplinary audiences, and the significant administrative work involved in running grants. Cristy and Liz also discuss major environmental law developments including New Zealand's controversial marine and coastal legislation, Australia's upcoming EPBC amendments, climate litigation from Bonaire, and new research challenging the effectiveness of carbon offsets. Marine law change angers Māori activist: 'We don't have any rights' New marine protections in the Hauraki Gulf Environmental Law Initiative v EPA Government almost halves methane reduction target, farmers celebrate Major changes to climate-related disclosures announced Our Marine Environment 2025 Big shakeup for NZ's research funding A/80/117: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation  Webinar - Capacity Building on developing Amicus Curiae for the African Court's Advisory Opinion... Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode we are joined by critical environmental law scholar Emily Jones to explore the intersections of environmental law, feminism, and academia. Emily discusses her personal journey into academia, the role of feminist theory in environmental law, and the implications of post-human feminism. She makes the case for including more-than-human-rights in the concept of future generations, and discusses the eay in which feminist legal theory can help everyone. We also discuss the importance of collaboration in academia, the intersection of doctrinal and critical legal approaches, and the challenges faced by scholars in navigating their careers. As usual, Cristy and I round off with recent developments in environmental law, including a new General Comment on economic, social, and cultural rights, and the increasing trend of climate litigation. We pay tribute to influential environmental leaders and discuss the implications of a wide range of environmental laws, from international treaties to managing local environmental challenges such as nitrate pollution. Who Benefits – a spotlight on lobbying, influence and power Emily Jones No future for future generations: who is international environmental law for? The Rights of Nature as a Legal Response to the Global Environmental Crisis? Feminist Theory and International Law: Posthuman Perspectives Posthuman Convergences: Transdisciplinary Methods and Practices International Law and Posthuman Theory Supreme Court - Ellis 74 countries have now ratified a landmark treaty to protect the high seas. Why hasn’t NZ? Protecting orange roughy  New findings on nitrates in rural drinking water Fighting nitrate pollution in Canterbury: Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

Our guest for this episode is Alessandro Pelizzon, legal academic and author of Ecological Jurisprudence: The Law of Nature and the Nature of Law. We discuss the evolution of ecological jurisprudence, the importance of humility, the intersection of theory and practice, and the impact of utopian imaginings on legal paradigms. Liz and Cristy also highlight the critical role of language in legal scholarship - particularly in comparative contexts - reflecting on the significance of empirical methods in legal research and the need to understand the place-based and historical context of legal language. As usual, the episode finishes with our updates of recent developments environmental law, including some recent water law jurisprudence in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia's climate targets, and legislative reforms for access to nature in the UK. Ecological Jurisprudence: The Law of Nature and the Nature of Law | SpringerLink  ELI v ECAN and MHV High Court finds errors in nitrogen discharge consent — but law changes protect polluters Taking action on nitrate | Environment Canterbury ECan declares ‘nitrate emergency’ amid drinking water concerns For Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we look at the journey of te reo Māori in our courts Albanese unveils ‘responsible’ new climate target to slash emissions over next decade | Australian politics | The Guardian Australia’s biggest gas project greenlit to 2070 with ‘partial’ protection for Indigenous rock art | Environment National Climate Risk Assessment Climate litigation against Holcim: decision draws closer  Outdoors For All Report  Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode, Cristy Clark and Elizabeth Macpherson explore the intersections of climate change with the rights of children, future generations, and to care, as well as the question of how to have an impact as an academic. Our guest Aoife Nolan shares her journey into legal academia and beyond, discussing her commitment to children's rights and socio-economic justice. She explores the interconnections between austerity politics and rights, and her approach to balancing academic work with policy engagement. Aoife offers valuable advice for early career researchers on building networks and navigating their careers while maintaining balance and self-compassion, and also emphasises the need for later career academics to provide opportunities. Liz and Cristy finish up by discussing new developments in environmental law, including recent case law related to climate change, Indigenous rights, and environmental law. The conversation also explores the recent Inter-American Court advisory opinion on the right to care, and consumer law's role in combating greenwashing. Takutai Moana Victory for Ruapuke Riverbeds' in Māori customary marine title Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos Posthuman Convergences Climate Kids A Critical Feminist Evaluation of Climate Adaptation Law The Racial Discrimination Act at 50 Cooper v Minister for Environment and Water [2025] FCA 1009 Burrup Peninsula ruling Court upholds DUH's lawsuit re Apple watches Swiss Mitigation case A Human Rights approach to the energy Just Transition Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode of 'Law at the End of the World', hosts Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark interview Dr Erin O'Donnell, water law expert and author of 'Legal Rights for Rivers', about her journey from desert ecology to pioneering research on river personhood and Indigenous water justice. Erin discusses her groundbreaking work on legal rights for rivers, her role on the Birrarung Council, the voice of Melbourne's Yarra River, and her current research exploring how treaty processes could address 'aqua nullius' and increase traditional owner power in water governance. The conversation covers research methodologies that prioritise Indigenous partnership and reciprocity, the temporality of relational governance, and practical approaches to recognising rivers as living entities. The episode concludes with updates on significant environmental law developments including the ICJ climate advisory opinion and recent legislative changes across jurisdictions. Dr Erin O'Donnell  The bill that will torch Māori-Crown relations Response to the Government’s limitations on judicial review under the Fisheries Act Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill 105-3 (2024)) Millewa-Mallee native title win gives traditional owners exclusive rights Cowichan Tribes v. Canada International Law and Posthuman Theory The Māori values that make good sense in science Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change Inter-American Court of Human Rights Advisory Opinion River Test Motion Unyoke the Sciences From the Hum Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode of 'Law at the End of the World', hosts Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark discuss the intersection of environmental law and human rights, and launch Cristy's new book, Legal Geographies of Water: The Spaces, Places and Narratives of Human-Water Relations. Cristy and Liz explore the lessons from the wideranging water governance case studies in Cristy's groundbreaking book, including England and Wales, Flint and Detroit, Chile, South Africa, Manila and the Whanganui River in Aotearoa New Zealand across water commodification, financialisation and relationality. Their conversation emphasises the importance of community-led, grassroots water governance and Cristy makes the case for a fundamental reconceptualisation of human-water relationships to achieve more equitable water governance. The episode concludes with updates on latest developments in environmental law. Show notes Cristy CLARK Legal Geographies of Water Total chaos’ on Eurostar Greenwashing renewable gas Fracking legal challenge Big Oil Wrongful Death Shell oil pollution Conservation without consent Defossilizing our economies Climate conscious lawyer Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode of Law at the End of the World, hosts Cristy & Liz discuss updates in environmental law, focusing on the concept of ecocide and its implications for justice.  Dr Rachel Killean joins to discuss how her experiences in Cambodia shaped her focus on transitional and environmental justice. She introduces her upcoming book, Green Transitional Justice   and reflects on the value of reparative approaches and curiosity in research.  Show notes London Climate Action Week Vegan Gluten-Free Banana Bread Just CauseGovernment undermines regional powers to protect coastal biodiversityWetland restoration is seen as sunk costBiodiversity Credits, Stolen Land, and the Risk of Recolonising AotearoaEpisode 239: Legacies of Colonialism, Dr. Olivia MasonWorld’s first Indigenous-led ocean reserveMelanesian Ocean ReserveWoodside's gas extension: another legal challenge Revealed: the astonishing emissions that will result from the North West Shelf project Pabai Pabai & Anor v Commwealth of AustraliaBilly & others v. AustraliaWould you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this special episode of Law at the End of the World, we feature a discussion with leading ocean governance experts Dr Karen Fisher, Dr Emily Parke, Associate Professor Dan Hikuroa & Linda Faulkner. Recorded live during an event aligned with the UN Oceans Conference in Nice, they dive into the future of ocean law and governance. Guests unpack the complexities of marine regulation, urging inclusive approaches that centre Indigenous knowledge, local perspectives, and western science. Liz and Cristy reflect through the lens of legal pluralism and share their hot takes on recent legal developments. This one’s a little longer - feel free to dip into the parts that resonate (pun intended) Show notes: Tonga Rights of Whales  Sustainable Seas Rights of Nature: a Legal Response to the Environmental Crisis?  Waka-Taurua Ecocide Raelene Cooper v Minister for Environment and Water (Fed Court) Court battle to protect Murujuga Handbook on Climate Litigation Indigenous-led Rights-based Approaches to Climate Litigation Ocean Decade NZ Climate litigation Māui & Hector’s dolphins  Orange roughy case EC v Spain French Polynesia MPA New Zealand must protect the ocean NZ lags in protecting Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode of Law at the End of the World, we’re joined by interdisciplinary water researcher Dr Aurora Kagawa-Viviani, who shares her journey navigating the complex, and often joyful, terrain of collaborative, community-based research. Aurora speaks to the importance of building relationships across university and community settings, integrating Indigenous knowledge systems, and maintaining balance between academic life and personal wellbeing. Cristy and Liz discuss their own experiences in interdisciplinary legal research, sharing lessons learned from working across fields. The episode wraps up with hot takes on recent developments in environmental law. Show notes: Setting a pluralist agenda for water governance: Why power and scale matter Global water systems: attention on power dynamics and scale mismatches Frontiers Planet Prize winners Aurora Kagawa-Viviani EA acknowledges issues with “offsetting” Scientist concerns over government interference with rock art report Australia's largest gas project, approved for extension to 2070 Parents for Climate v EnergyAustralia ‘Carbon neutral’ is dead Appeal rejected: the case of the Peruvian mountain guide Lliuya against RWE Consultation on RMA national direction EDS concerns over review of National Direction (RMA) Carbon removals strategy MfE  Jacinda Ardern, 2025 Yale Class Day Speaker Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode of Law at the End of the World, we’re joined by Dr Birsha Ohdedar - legal scholar, climate justice advocate, and thinker on post-growth futures. Birsha shares his academic journey, insights on navigating the tensions between scholarly work and real-world impact, and reflections on law's role in climate and environmental justice. He speaks on the promise of post-growth frameworks, prefigurative legalities, and the importance of slowing down to reimagine what law can do. Reflecting on Birsha’s interview, hosts Cristy Clark and Elizabeth Macpherson explore the challenges of parenting within academia and make a case for slow scholarship in a high-pressure sector. The episode closes with updates on current developments in environmental law and future directions for research. Show notes: See below for a list of resources relevant to the themes or issues discussed during this episode Clarke, Cristy Prefiguring legal alternatives in environmental and climate justice struggles in AustraliaFor more on our guest Birsha Ohdedar's workEnvironment Minister Murray Watt heads west to restart 'Nature Positive' talks, with a decision on Woodside's gas project loomingCrisafulli government reneges on pre-election funding pledge by axing environmental legal aidLandmark Legal Victory for England’s Rivers: The Court of Appeal's Pickering Judgment - Environmental Law FoundationThe UK Rights of Nature networkSwimmable Cities Summit 2025 - Rotterdam Regulatory Standards Bill 155-1 (2025), Government Bill – New Zealand Legislation Indigenous Rights in One Minute : What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation – Harbour PublishingHigher Expectations – Between the Lines: How to Survive Academia, Make it Better for Others, and Transform the UniversityOne Ocean Science CongressWould you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode, Elizabeth and Cristy discuss the concept of 'pracademia' - the intersection of academic and practical legal work. Thie conversation begins with reflections from Liz's recent keynote address for early career researchers (ECRs) in Canterbury, titled How to survive (and thrive) as an academic. Topics include insights on surviving (and thriving) in academia, emphasising the role of 'shameless self-promotion' and embracing rejection as a ncessary part of acadmic life and of growth.  Cristy adds her perspective with a candid confession of her obsession with productivity hacks featuring shoutouts to On the Reg and TextExpander In the second half of the episode, Liz and Cristy dive into recent developments in environmental law. Liz covers a slew of legislative changes in Aotearoa New Zealand, including a rushed amendment to the Wildlife Act - described as protecting vulnerable roads and mines from skinks, geckos and frogs,  as well as the Equal Pay Amendment Act. She also shares the exciting appointment of Gerard Albert (Whanganui Iwi) to the Waitangi Tribunal.  Cristy discusses the Australian election results and highlights several climate cases progressing through international bodies such as the European Court of Human Rights and the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights.  Links and further resources: What I wish I knew: 33 thoughts for early career researchers Amendment to Wildlife Act ‘unnecessary and muddled’ Fighting nitrate pollution in Canterbury: MHV Anne Salmond: She won't be right, mate Law change protects vulnerable roads and mines from skinks, geckos and frogs Dairy dominates science panel as Govt milks research for profit Students for Climate Solutions Incorporated v Minister of Energy and Resources [2024] The country is not prepared for climate impacts, say advisors​ Campaigners take UK government's climate adaptation to ECHR Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

Summary In this episode of Law at the End of the World, Elizabeth Macpherson  speaks with our guest Dr Ritodhi Chakraborty about his journey into academia. He shares highlights the  importance of the humanities and social sciences in contributing to the world's most pressing issues and that environmental sciences could benefit from expanding into alternative knowledges to ensure their work is grounded in diverse knowledge systems. He introduces the concept of maladaptation, critiques traditional environmentalism, and stresses the significance of Indigenous knowledge in climate solutions.  The conversation also explores the ethics of research, the need for interdisciplinary approaches, and the importance of community engagement in achieving justice.  The episode concludes with Cristy and Liz's reflections and updates on the recent developments in environmental law.  Show notes: UBC Professors’ Attempt to Deny the Facts of Law and HistoryFor more on our guest Dr Ritodhi Chakraborty's work - click here Te Ture Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua 2025/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Act 2025 No 1 The United Nations General Assembly includes the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment: the ocean and human rightsMehta, L. The Challenges of Decolonising Sustainability and the Environment in Development Studies (DS). Eur J Dev Res (2025). Read the articleThe 2025 LSAANZ Conference: Rights, Relationality, Resilience, Reciprocity, University of Canterbury - call for abstracts - 2025 LSAANZ Conference | University of CanterburyRound table exploration of the issues surrounding climate change and class discrimination lawThank you for listening. If you found this episode valuable, we’d appreciate it if you liked, subscribed, shared it with others, or consider leaving us a review.  Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

In this episode of Law at the End of the World we are joined by natural resources and climate law scholar Julia Dehm. Julia discusses the challenges of balancing theoretical research work with real-world research impact, the importance of mainstreaming climate change in legal education, and the juggle of balancing a career with family responsibilities.  In addition to reflecting on Julia's talk, Cristy and Liz discuss recent developments in environmental law, and reflect on their future research directions and the need for collaboration within the legal community. Show notes  See below for a list of resources relevant to the themes or issues discussed during this episode More information on our guest, Associate Proffessor Julia Dehm, can be found hereNaomi Klein and Astra Taylor, ‘The rise of end times fascism’ (The Guardian, 13 April 2025) Find more on the: Climate Conscious LawyersPetra Stock, ‘Coalition scores just 1/100 points for environment and climate policies from conservation organisation’ (The Guardian, 14 April 2025) - Read articleOHCHR Calls for Inputs - Submit or review current callsAlessandro Pelizzon, Ecological Jurisprudence: The Law of Nature and the Nature of Law (Springer, 2025) - find the article hereCristy Clark, Legal Geographies of Water: The Spaces, Places and Narratives of Human-Water Relations (Routledge, 2026) - Link to the articleUniversity of Leeds, Riverkin: remaking vital relations with rivers - Project infoBerkeley Law, Roundtable on Climate Change and Class Discrimination Law, Event detailsFrontiers Planet Prize national winners announced -  Royal Society Te ApārangiThe 2025 LSAANZ Conference: Rights, Relationality, Resilience, Reciprocity, University of Canterbury - Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy