Ketan Jha

Ketan Jha is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Business and Law at the University of Brighton, affiliated with the Law, Society and Justice Research Excellence Group. His academic work bridges environmental law, constitutional governance, and legal history, with strong engagement in public interest litigation and policy advocacy.

Research Interests: His primary research areas include environmental law, administrative and constitutional law, climate litigation, biodiversity net gain, and coastal restoration governance. He investigates citizen participation in environmental enforcement, especially through citizen science and community-led monitoring. He also explores the legal status of fibreglass from decommissioned boats as a persistent pollutant, intersecting international treaties like the Plastics Treaty, Basel Convention, and Hong Kong Convention. His historical work examines the Roman law roots of the public trust doctrine.

Publication Trends: His recent publications (2018–2025) reflect a consistent focus on environmental governance, climate litigation strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with marine scientists. A growing emphasis on material pollution (fibreglass) and systemic legal reform (Rights of Nature) marks his evolving research trajectory.

Scientific Awards and Honors:
• Hugo Grotius Research Fellow, University of Michigan Law School (2018)

Advising and Grants: He actively mentors undergraduate and postgraduate students, co-authoring policy papers and research articles with them. While specific grants are not listed, his consultancy role with Lawyers for Nature and external examiner positions indicate recognition of his expertise. His knowledge exchange includes trustee roles in UK Youth Climate Coalition (2021–2023) and People and Planet, where he contributes to sustainability rankings and grassroots organizing.

Labs and Research Teams: He collaborates with the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Brighton, particularly with Professor Corina Ciocan, on interdisciplinary research into marine pollution from fibreglass composites. He is part of the Law, Society and Justice Research Excellence Group, which supports critical legal scholarship with societal impact.