Nnennaya Jennifer Nwali
Last modified: November 11, 2025
About
PhD in Law (ongoing), University of Aberdeen
LLM (Distinction), Energy & Environmental Law, University of Aberdeen
LLB (Hons), University of Sunderland
Legal Research & Just Transition Intern, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (Corporate Legal Accountability team)
Research Associate, Just Transition Lab, University of Aberdeen
About the organisation(s) I've worked for
Organisation name:
University of AberdeenAbout my experience and expertise
Personal statement:
I am a PhD researcher in law at the University of Aberdeen and a Legal Research & Just Transition Intern with the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (Corporate Legal Accountability team). My work examines just energy transitions and climate, energy, environmental governance law across Scotland, Nigeria, and South Africa. I use doctrinal, comparative, and socio-legal methods, including evidence synthesis, and policy analysis. I collaborate with civil society and academic partners to translate research into concise outputs for policy and practitioner audiences, and I welcome cross-disciplinary, practice-focused projects.
Key topic areas of research or interest:
Just transition; climate, energy, environmental and natural resources law; corporate accountability; extractives and critical minerals; community energy/benefits/impacts; IBAs and CDAs; climate justice and governance; AI governance and algorithmic accountability; data and platform governance in the public interest. Methods: doctrinal analysis; comparative law; socio-legal approaches (interviews, qualitative analysis); policy analysis and evidence synthesis.
Collaboration opportunities:
I welcome collaborations on Energy, environment and just-transition governance, Sub-national just transition design, Community energy, Corporate accountability in extractives/critical minerals, Critical minerals governance, Ethical AI use and governance, Policy translation & evidence synthesis. I am open to co-authored articles, policy briefs, evidence submissions and practitioner workshops/training. I can contribute to desk reviews, qualitative evidence synthesis, internships, volunteer opportunities and stakeholder engagement, and I am available for invited talks, expert commentary and commissioned analysis.
Publications:
“Maximising Economic Recovery: Regulation of Third-Party Access to UKCS Infrastructure” in Upstream Oil and Gas in Africa (Globe Law & Business)
“Resource Curse” in Elgar Concise Encyclopaedia of Oil and Gas Law (Edward Elgar)
“Avoiding an (Offshore) Renewable/Critical-Mineral Resource Curse in Africa” in Offshore Energy Law: Challenges and Opportunities for Renewables and Hydrocarbons (Hart)
“Renegotiating for Sustainability: Aligning Nigerian Petroleum Contracts with Environmental Goals & Investor Interests” Journal for Sustainable Development Law & Policy
Other projects and networks:
“UK–African Partnerships for a Just Energy Transition in Africa” (Global South Law Research Network, University of Aberdeen)
“The Global South Law Research Network Roundtable: Translating Legal Research into Law and Policy” (Global South Law Research Network, University of Aberdeen)
“Industry Perspectives on Decarbonisation and Career Chat by Ms Wendelyn Chijioke-Ibekwe” (Global South Law Research Network, University of Aberdeen)
