Research
Tackling pressing legal issues
The Faculty of Law is home to a thriving community of scholars and graduate students who are tackling some of the most pressing legal issues of our times.
The definition of legal scholarship is expanding, with interdisciplinary, community-based, and collaborative research flourishing in this new scholarly eco-system. Our faculty is at the forefront of this evolution. By adopting a multiplicity of methodologies and perspectives, our researchers are well positioned to make meaningful contributions to judicial decision-making, law reform, academic debate, and community-based initiatives. The faculty is also committed to communicating its research to diverse audiences to maximize access, increase impact and enhance legal literacy.
Research Centres + Institutes
The Faculty of Law’s vibrant research environment is enriched by the presence of several interdisciplinary centres and institutes that operate within the faculty.
The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Law Reform Institute (ALRI) works to provide independent, comprehensive recommendations to the Government of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and other agencies. These recommendations ensure that the administration of justice is informed by the latest research and can serve ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ns as effectively as possible.
The Centre for Constitutional Studies (CSS) is a hub for constitutional research and public education in Canada. CSS contributes to constitutional debate through the publication of two constitutional law journals and works on creating resources to educate the public about the Constitution, including podcasts and lecture videos. CCS also offers summer employment to JD students.
The Environmental Law Centre (ELC) is an advocate for strong environmental laws and citizen rights to protect ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥'s ecosystems and communities. The ELC strives to bring clarity to ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥’s complex legal landscape and ensure ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ns have the legal knowledge to take meaningful action for the environment. ELC also operates experiential learning opportunities for JD students.
Health Law Institute
In 1977, Justice Ellen Picard launched the Faculty of Law’s Health Law Institute (HLI), establishing the first research institute in Canada in the health law field. Over the past four decades, it has evolved from a resource centre to an internationally recognized centre for evidence-based health law and science policy research.
Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge
The Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge (WLGL) is a dedicated research unit that works to uphold Indigenous laws and governance by supporting Indigenous communities’ goals to identify, articulate and implement their own laws, develop and transfer wise practices and research tools, and produce useful and accessible public legal education resources.
Graduate Student Research
Interested in enrolling in graduate studies at the Faculty of Law? Our faculty members are eager to supervise master’s and PhD students who share their passions and are excited to develop new knowledge.
Colton Fehr
“My time at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥'s PhD program at the Faculty of Law was invaluable to my development as a legal academic. The program was rigorous, the supervision I received was top notch, and the academic environment was intellectually stimulating. The Faculty also provided me with strong financial support and plenty of mentorship opportunities that aided me in securing work on the legal academic market.”
– Colton Fehr, ’21 PhD (Assistant Professor, College of Law, University of Saskatchewan)
Idowu Ohioze
“Quality teaching and research are to academia what strong advocacy is to litigation. My time as a student at the Law Faculty of the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ was enriched by quality teaching and research. Professor Timothy Caulfield, my LLM supervisor of immense renown, and Prof Frederick DeCoste (of blessed memory) are two of the erudite scholars whose pedagogical skills helped shape my approach to the practice of the law. I am a better lawyer today because of the time I was fortunate to spend learning from the professors at the Law Faculty.”
– Idowu Ohioze, ’08 LLM (Principal Lawyer, Andrew Law)