Michael Samuel

Michael Samuel is an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), specializing in legal history, indigenous studies, and international law. His research focuses on Israel-Palestine, settler colonialism, and critical legal theory. He holds a Ph.D. from Emory University (2024), a J.D. from Boston College Law School (2015), and an LL.B. from The Haim Striks Faculty of Law (2010), alongside a certificate in Conflict Regulation from the Max Planck Institute.

• Education:
• Ph.D., Emory University, 2024
• LL.B., The Haim Striks Faculty of Law, 2010
• J.D., Boston College Law School, 2015
• Certificate in Conflict Regulation, Max Planck Institute, 2017

Samuel’s research explores the intersection of law and power, particularly in colonial and postcolonial contexts. His first book examines Israel’s legal system’s incorporation of British Mandate-era emergency laws (1948–1966) and their impact on Palestinian communities and individual rights. He critiques how such frameworks perpetuate settler colonialism and human rights violations.

His courses include ‘Israel-Palestine: Contested Histories’, ‘Global Indigenous History’, and ‘International Human Rights Law’. He actively engages with current events, analyzing the Israel-Hamas War’s legal and humanitarian implications through peer-reviewed publications.

Samuel’s work bridges academic scholarship and public discourse, with articles in International Journal of Middle East Studies, Settler Colonial Studies, and Middle East Policy. His website (www.mtsamuel.com) provides further insights into his research and advocacy.