Raymond Gao receives the CIBEL Global Network PhD Prize

We are proud to announce that our PhD scholar Raymond Gao has recently been awarded the 2021 CIBEL Global Network PhD Prize from UNSW Law & Justice’s Herbert Smith Freehills China International Business and Economic Law (CIBEL) Centre for his article, The Role of Public International Law in Integrating Human Rights Considerations in Investment Treaty Arbitration.

Published in the Asian Journal of WTO & International Health Law and Policy, the article explores the role of “public international law” in providing “affirmative defences” for host states in investment treaty arbitration, bridging the normative divide between investment protection and human rights. Focused on the legitimacy crisis of international investment law, the paper delves into the application of public international law doctrines as judicial tools for tribunals to accommodate public interests, or to give effect to investor misconduct with respect to human rights.

Raymond was grateful to be able to share his work and network with peers at the annual CIBEL Global Network Conference and Young Scholars workshop.

“I am delighted to receive this prize. What I really enjoyed about this event was that a group of brilliant doctoral students and young scholars from different countries and with diverse backgrounds are able to convene and present their recent work-in-progress. They can share their insights, have a live discussion, gain a lot of food for thought, and receive valuable feedback from renowned experts in their fields,” he said.

“Junior scholars can benefit a lot from high quality discussions with peers and experts who share the same passion, same goal.”

The Herbert Smith Freehills CIBEL Centre is the world’s largest centre outside China for the research and teaching of international business and economic law issues focusing on the impact of China domestically, in Asia Pacific and internationally.