International statelessness law provides an international legal framework to reduce statelessness and to protect stateless persons. For example, in order to prevent childhood statelessness, I have examined the “foundling” provision—granting nationality to children whose parents are unknown (such as abandoned children)—under the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, including by conducting a comparative analysis of nationality laws in all 193 States worldwide.　Within international refugee law, my research has focused in particular on the interpretation of the refugee definition under the 1951 Refugee Convention and on the scope of application of the principle of non-refoulement.

At present, the global rise in xenophobia and social division is placing respect for diversity and international human rights norms under unprecedented pressure. In this context, stateless persons—who are not recognized as nationals by any State—and refugees, who are forced to flee their homes due to persecution or conflict, can be said to be among the most vulnerable. Research on the protection of stateless persons and refugees invites us to re-examine the tension between State sovereignty and human rights, and to reflect on the values that our own societies choose to uphold.

I myself wrote my PhD dissertation and other scholarly work in order to address questions I encountered through my professional practice at UNHCR. I hope to share perspectives and experiences with those who wish to connect their professional lives with academic research, as well as with those who may feel close to giving up on research because of work, family responsibilities, or caregiving commitments.