Laura Kraft

Laura Kraft is a Research Fellow and PhD Candidate at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (MPIL) in Heidelberg and Berlin, specializing in international law and refugee protection since May 2023. Her doctoral research examines the right to work for female refugees in Europe through feminist and comparative legal analysis, while concurrently pursuing an MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies at the University of Oxford (2024-2025).

Her educational background includes a First State Examination in Law from Berlin (2023), law studies at Freie Universität Berlin (2016-2023), and specialized study at the University of New South Wales, Sydney (2018-2019).

• First State Examination in Law, Berlin (2023)
• MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, University of Oxford (2024-2025)
• Law Degree, Freie Universität Berlin (2016-2023)
• Specialization in Public International Law, University of New South Wales (2018-2019)

Kraft's research bridges General International Law, Human Rights, and Migration Studies with critical attention to climate-induced displacement and gender inequality. Her work employs feminist legal theory to deconstruct systemic barriers in European asylum systems, emphasizing practical implementation gaps between international obligations and national practices. Current projects analyze how climate change intensifies protection needs while exposing institutional shortcomings in refugee frameworks.

Her recent scholarly contributions reveal converging trends in climate-refugee jurisprudence and European asylum policy reform. The 2025 blog post on climate protection mechanisms demonstrates growing scholarly urgency in adapting legal frameworks to environmental displacement, while the 2024 "Asylum Compromise" analysis critiques historical policy failures. These works collectively highlight the need for gender-responsive, context-specific legal interventions in migration governance.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• DAAD short-term scholarship for international internship (2021)
• PROMOS study abroad scholarship (2019)

Kraft's professional trajectory combines academic research with field experience through UNHCR Austria internships and German diplomatic service. She actively shapes discourse as a presenter at major conferences like the Refugee Law Initiative Annual Conference and serves on the International Board of Review for the Telders Moot Court Competition, demonstrating commitment to both theoretical advancement and practical legal education.

Her work with the Berlin Potsdam Research Group "The International Rule of Law" and ongoing collaboration with MPIL's Berlin office reflect deep engagement with transnational legal networks addressing contemporary challenges in refugee protection and climate migration.