Elizabeth Fairgrieve

The course excelled in looking at a number of cases from around the world, as opposed to falling into the trap of only examining Western examples. This allowed us to gain a more critical perspective of environmental law, that otherwise, would not have been possible. We first focussed on building a foundational understanding of international law, which was useful having never studied law before, then further developed this learning by examining the various critiques of environmental law. The course professors were clearly experts in their fields, with each of their specialisms bringing a new perspective to each topic.

During my dissertation, I felt very supported. My supervisor was enthusiastic about my topic and that led to interesting conversation that encouraged me to think about my research in new ways. It was also useful having clear deadlines to guide my progress.

I also had the chance to take modules in other departments, which added valuable context to my understanding of environmental law. For example, the Environmental Impact Assessment module offered insight into the practical application of environmental legislation. As part of this course, we visited Whitelee Wind Farm and climbed Dumyat, allowing us to see firsthand how EIAs are implemented in real-world scenarios. The Environmental Economics module further broadened my perspective by demonstrating different methods of quantifying environmental factors and introducing innovative approaches to protecting the environment and reducing degradation.

This course has given me greater confidence in approaching new challenges. I hope to someday work in environmental policy, and hopefully, this qualification will help me get there!