Lucas Lixinski

Lucas Lixinski is a Professor at the School of Global & Public Law, UNSW Sydney. He holds a PhD in International Law from the European University Institute, an LLM in Human Rights Law from Central European University, and an LLB from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. His research focuses on international cultural heritage law, human rights law, and transitional justice, with particular attention to issues of decolonization, queer theory, and Indigenous rights.

He previously served as a Postgraduate Fellow at the University of Texas School of Law’s Rapoport Center. Currently, he directs the International Law Association’s global studies program and is affiliated with the Australian Human Rights Institute and the Evacuations Research Hub at UNSW’s Kaldor Centre. His work bridges legal theory and practice, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to heritage governance and social justice.

Key research areas include cultural heritage in contexts of social upheaval, the history of international extradition law, and the role of human rights courts in amplifying marginalized voices. His 2020 co-edited commentary on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage Convention earned the American Society of International Law’s Certificate of Merit. He frequently contributes to media discussions on heritage law and international justice.

Recent publications explore queer heritage advocacy, decolonizing legal frameworks, and the intersections between cultural heritage and deep seabed mining. He supervises PhD candidates addressing topics like Indigenous voices in legal adjudication and Palestinian statehood dilemmas.