Faculty Stories
Faculty Spotlight
Bringing Students to the Heart of Global Affairs
Fast Facts
- Leads global field intensives for students to gain real-world international criminal justice experience
- Has organized study trips to The Hague, Bosnia, Serbia, and Rwanda
- Serves as a US representative to the Use of Force Committee of the International Law Association
Guiding Future Executive Leaders to Success
<p><span class="p-body">An NYU SPS <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/center-for-global-affairs.html" title="Center for Global Affairs">Center for Global Affairs</a> professor since 2009, Clinical Professor Jennifer Trahan teaches international law, international justice, and transitional justice, among other topics. She has led field intensive programs to The Hague, Bosnia, Serbia, and Rwanda.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">As a prolific scholar, Trahan has published scores of law review articles and book chapters, including about the International Criminal Court's crime of aggression. Her book, <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/existing-legal-limits-to-security-council-veto-power-in-the-face-of-atrocity-crimes/7EB9A13B1DE4F573CE29CEA6D3DFF936" target="_blank" title="Legal Limits to Security Council Veto Power in the Face of Atrocity Crimes (Cambridge University Press 2020)">Legal Limits to Security Council Veto Power in the Face of Atrocity Crimes (Cambridge University Press 2020)</a>, was awarded the "2020 ABILA Book of the Year Award" by the American Branch of the International Law Association.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">She serves as one of the US representatives to the Use of Force Committee of the International Law Association and holds various leadership positions with the American Branch. She also serves as convenor of the Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Recently, she talked about becoming involved in international law, her latest work related to international criminal law and tribunals, and her leadership within the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-global-affairs.html" title="MS in Global Affairs">MS in Global Affairs</a> program.</span></p>
Reimagining Her Place in International Law
<p>Trahan's venture into international law began over twenty years ago after years of working in litigation at a large Manhattan law firm. Her intention was simple: to use her skills in a more meaningful way.</p>
<p>She first got involved with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the early 2000s while attending Preparatory Commission negotiations related to the ICC. She reflects, "I was able to continue to participate in the process through the negotiations before the Special Working Group on the Crime of Aggression and, ultimately, the Review Conference in Kampala, Uganda, which resulted in the ICC's definition of aggression and conditions for the exercise of jurisdiction being adopted."</p>
Meeting the Moment
<p><span class="p-body">When Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year, Trahan developed a special criminal tribunal on the crime of aggression during the conflict. She presented <a href="http://unsc-letter-12-august-2022.pdf" target="_blank" title="the proposal">the proposal</a> during a meeting sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Liechtenstein and Latvia to the United Nations. </span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">A write-up of Trahan's presentation was circulated to all UN member states with Ukraine's endorsement, with the hope that her ideas could "set forth a template that could be used as the basis of negotiations between the United Nations and Ukraine if the General Assembly recommends the creation of such a tribunal."</span></p>
Bringing Students into the Center of the Field
<p>Imparting practical experience is at the helm of Trahan's teaching philosophy.</p>
<p>"In my classes, I focus not only on imparting academic knowledge but sharing practical experiences that I have gleaned—for instance, in observing treaty negotiations at the United Nations or meetings in The Hague at the Assembly of States Parties related to the management of the International Criminal Court."</p>
<p>Trahan leads global field intensives for students who want to gain real-world international criminal justice experience. She has organized study trips to The Hague, Bosnia, Serbia, and Rwanda, where students can see directly the challenges facing the field of international criminal justice and countries in rebuilding after they have been decimated by war and atrocity crimes.</p>
<p>Meeting academic knowledge with practical experience is at the heart of our <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-global-affairs.html" title="MS in Global Affairs">MS in Global Affairs</a> program. Join Trahan and other faculty and students who are taking their place at the center of international relations and foreign service today.</p>
In my classes, I focus not only on imparting academic knowledge but sharing practical experiences that I have gleaned—for instance, in observing treaty negotiations at the United Nations or meetings in The Hague at the Assembly of States Parties related to the management of the International Criminal Court."
