Ken Abbott

Professor Ken Abbott recently spoke at a conference at Durham University, in England, on transnational governance in the field of climate change.

Abbott and other scholars were invited to react to the initial work of a research group at Durham that is performing a large project on this form of governance in this area. In this context, transnational is similar to international, except it involves private actors such as companies, non-governmental organizations and foundations, and sub-national governments, such as cross-national associations of cities, rather than the usual national governments.

In addition, Abbott and the other speakers presented papers suggesting methods of framing the research project.

A leading scholar in international law, Abbott’s teaching and research focus on the interdisciplinary study of international law and international relations, including public and private institutions, environmental issues, development policy, global health, and international trade and economic law. He is a Willard H. Pedrick Distinguished Research Scholar, a Faculty Fellow in the College’s Center for Law, Science & Innovation, a member of the College’s Center for Law and Global Affairs Advisory Board and a Professor of Global Studies at ASU, where he co-directs the global environmental governance program.