PHD THESIS
Title: “The Genesis Project: New Developments in the Law of the Sea for Marine Genetic Resources and the Modernisation of the UNCLOS's System for the Living Commons"
PhD Supervisor: Zachary Douglas
Expected completion date: 2026
PROFILE
Laisa Branco C. C. de Almeida is a Ph.D. Candidate in international law at The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID). She holds a Master's Degree in International Law from the same institution, where she was granted the Hans Wilsdorf Fellowship from the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation (2020-2022). She is a qualified lawyer in Brazil, holding an L.L.B. from the University Federal of Bahia. Laisa is a member of the Minerals and the BBNJ Groups of the Deep Stewardship Council Initiative and the World Commission on Environmental Law of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Her past work has been featured in the Environmental Law Review, Revista Tribuna Internacional (Chile), and the Indonesian Journal of International Law.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Law of the Sea
- Environment Externalities
- Ocean-Based Management Tools and Minerals Exploitation
Relevant publications and works
- L.B.C.C. Almeida, Chapter 10: "Non-Use Measures for Deep Seabed Mining in
the Area, " Aline Jaeckel, Jeff Ardron, Laisa Branco and Pradeep Singh. In Guggisberg, Solène, and Catherine Blanchard, eds. Non-use Measures for Global Goods and Commons in International Law, (Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill | Nijhoff, 28 Aug. 2025) doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004730571
- L. B. C. C. Almeida, "The New Regulatory Framework under the BBNJ Agreement for Marine Genetic Resources and the Material Exception to Fishing and Fishing-related Activities, " Ocean Development and International Law (ODIL), Taylor & Francis, Vol. 3 (2025) https://doi.org/10.1080/00908320.2025.2531163.
- L Almeida; T Borges, ‘The role of international law of the seas on the global governance of marine climate geoengineering techniques’ In: Direito do Mar, Vol 2. Editora D’Placido, 2018, p 267 ISSBN 978-85-8425-921-2
- L Almeida; R Pimentel, ‘The necessity of precautionary approach to avoid harm when performing a marine scientific research’ In: Direito do Mar, Vol 2, Editora D’Placido, 2018, p 289 ISSBN 978-85-8425-921-2
- L Almeida, B. Mourão Sachett: A new era for sustainable ocean development and climate change? (In) compatibility of the United Nations Agenda and geoengineering technologies, in: Direito do Mar e transdisciplinariedade, vol 1, ISBN 978-65-5969-005-5, 2020, p.402
Journal articles
- L Almeida; J Glicerio Filho, ‘The International Economic Law and the conservation of marine resources in the Area: an analysis over the WTO coercive measures’ In: Direito internacional em expansão: vol 14, Wagner Menezes (ed). Arraes Editores, 2018, p 254 ISBN-978-858238-490-9
- L Almeida; B. Mourão Sachett; Safeguarding the Amazon: Any Role for International Law? Coleção Direito Internacional sem fronteiras, Vol 1, Brazil Publishing, 2020. DOI: 10.31012/978-65-86854-07-7
- L Almeida; E. M. Zavanella; ‘The Brazilian Blue Amazon Program: A new chapter for submarines nuclear-powered international domain?’ Revista Tribuna Internacional, Facultad de Derecho, Universidad de Chile, ISSN: 0719-482X
- L Almeida; ‘Ocean Law In Times Of Health Emergency: Deep Seabed Mining Contributions And Its Fear Of Overexploitation,’ Indonesian Journal Of International Law (Ijil) Issn: 2356-5527, vol. 2020 (2)
- L. Almeida (2022). The International Law of Energy of Offshore Carbon Capture and Storage: The Rotterdam Nucleus Project case study. Environmental Law Review, 24(1), 10–26. https://doi.org/ 10.1177/14614529221080037
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCES
- Legal Intern, Center of International Environmental Law (CIEL)
- Environment Team Intern, Oak Foundation
- Economic and Trade Law Intern, IISD
FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS AND AWARDS
- Geneva Graduate Institute Scholarship (PhD), Hans Wilsdof Foundation Scholarship (Master IHEID, 2020-2022)
AFFILIATIONS
- Member of the Working Group on Minerals of the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI)