Alex P. Dela Cruz

Dr. Alex P. Dela Cruz is a Research Fellow at Tilburg University's Tilburg Law School within the Public Law and Governance department. He holds a PhD in International Law from the University of Melbourne and previously earned a BA (magna cum laude), JD, and LLM from the University of the Philippines. His expertise spans public international law, law of the sea, legal history, and decolonisation, with a focus on oceans governance, marine plastic pollution, and post-colonial state-making. He collaborates with Dr. Richard Clements on mapping legal and managerial expertise in global contexts.

As a Blue Security Fellow at La Trobe University (Australia), he analyzes maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, particularly historical legal arguments in South China Sea disputes. He contributed to Track 1.5 maritime dialogues between Australia and the Philippines. His work bridges legal scholarship with policy, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to global governance challenges.

Previously, he practiced litigation in Manila, advising Philippine government entities while teaching law. His research integrates colonialism studies, environmental law, and international organizations to address contemporary governance issues.