Stephen Gardbaum

Stephen Gardbaum is the Stephen Yeazell Endowed Chair in Law at UCLA School of Law, holding this position since 1998. He previously held the MacArthur Foundation Chair in International Justice and Human Rights. His academic career includes teaching at Northwestern University School of Law and visiting roles at institutions such as Melbourne Law School and Panthéon-Assas University (Paris II). A globally recognized scholar, he was a 2011 Guggenheim Fellow and a Straus Fellow at NYU (2012–2013).

Education: B.A. (First Class Honors) in Oxford, M.Sc. in Sociology and Politics (University of London), Ph.D. (Political Theory, Columbia, with distinction), and J.D. from Yale Law School. He is a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales.

Research focuses on comparative constitutional law and constitutional theory, particularly the 'New Commonwealth Model' explored in his 2013 book. His work has influenced debates on human rights legislation and been cited by the U.S., Canadian, and Indian Supreme Courts. Recent publications address judicial review, democratic backsliding, and institutional design to counter populist threats.

Teaching includes constitutional law, comparative constitutional law, and European Union law. He directed The Promise Institute for Human Rights and contributed to the International Society of Public Law’s Council.

Awards include UCLA’s Distinguished Teaching Award (2025) and recognition for his scholarly impact. His interdisciplinary approach bridges political theory and legal practice, addressing global challenges to democratic governance.