Jessica Lawrence
Senior Lecturer · International Economic Integration
University of EssexAbout
Dr. Jessica Lawrence is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex School of Law. Her research critically examines the intersection of international economic integration with human rights, labor standards, sustainable development, environmental protection, and gender equity within trade and investment frameworks. She employs constructivist international relations theory and post-Foucauldian governmentality studies to analyze discursive influences on law and politics.
Education:
- PhD in Transnational Legal Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2015)
- JD in Law, University of Georgia (2007)
- BA in International Studies and Environmental Policy, American University (2003)
Her research explores how economic agreements impact social policy goals, with a focus on WTO regulations, bilateral/regional trade pacts, and EU market governance. Lawrence maintains active engagement with NGOs, governments, and think tanks across multiple continents, providing expertise on policy alignment and impact assessment.
Recent publications demonstrate Lawrence's consistent focus on the materiality of legal structures, crisis governance in trade systems, and critical methodologies in legal research. Her work displays strong thematic coherence across international economic law, governance theory, and socio-legal studies.
