Research Overview

Much of my current research focuses on normative questions about international law, which I think of as the intersection between political philosophy, normative economics, and the philosophy of law. I am currently working on a book-length project, partly supported by the Social Science & Humanities Research Council of Canada, that explores what grounds the authority of international law. I think we can gain much clarity if we look at how spheres like the global market engender domination in ways that undermine state sovereignty (even if, contrary to orthodoxy on sovereignty, no actual interference occurs). I argue that the authority of international law is thus grounded in the normative demand to protect sovereignty as non-domination. I try to mobilize these conclusions to defend various legal mechanisms which often promote equity (e.g., compulsory licensing mechanisms for medications). Most of my work falls in the tradition of Kantian liberalism, with a distinctively (classical) republican flavour. 

Indeed, I also have some interest in the history of political philosophy, and am particularly interested in insights from the Roman philosopher Cicero (106-43 BC), the Dutch philosopher Grotius (1583-1645 AD), and the German philosopher Kant (1724-1804 AD). I remain convinced that the best answers to new questions are often old ones. 

Articles in Legal Theory & Philosophy

"The Deportation of Undocumented Patients Under International Law," Harvard International Law Journal (2026).
https://journals.law.harvard.edu/ilj/2026/03/the-deportation-of-undocumented-patients-under-international-law/. 

Articles in Health Law & Policy

"Healthcare Justice: Protecting Self-Respect, Not Opportunity" Journal of Bioethical Inquiry 22, no. 4 (2025): 837-849.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-025-10432-9.

"Budget Cuts to Narcan Programs Dangerously Misunderstand Public Health Aims," Health Affairs Forefront (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1377/forefront.20250709.312782.

Papers in Progress

A paper on non-domination in international relations (under review).
A paper on compliance incompatibilities in international law (under review).
A paper defending compulsory licensing (draft complete).
A paper on sovereignty (in progress).
A paper on the authority of international law (in progress).
A paper on Grotius' Mare Liberum (in progress).