About
Ulf Linderfalk is a Professor of International Law at the Faculty of Law, Lund University, and from September 2025, a Distinguished Researcher at the University of A Coruña, Spain, with an approved 80% absence leave from Lund. He is a leading figure in public international law, known for his theoretical depth and interdisciplinary approach.
His research focuses on the systemic fabric of international law, including treaty interpretation, jus cogens, proportionality, discretion, and normative conflict. Drawing on sociology, epistemology, and pragmatics, he adopts a 'specialized generalist' approach to address fundamental legal challenges. His work is cited in major reference works such as Brownlie’s Principles of Public International Law and the Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law, and has influenced the UN International Law Commission.
Linderfalk has published five monographs, two widely used textbooks (in third editions), and over 40 articles in top journals including European Journal of International Law and Leiden Journal of International Law. His recent and forthcoming works explore discretion, knowledge systems in law, and special regimes. He has led major research projects funded by the Swedish Research Council, the Spanish Government, and other foundations, totaling SEK 34 million.
He has been awarded the Nordic Tax Research Council Article Prize (2017) and served as Editor-in-Chief of the Nordic Journal of International Law (2011–2019). He has held leadership roles at Lund University, including Chair of the Nomination Committee and member of the Faculty Board. He regularly advises law firms, parliaments, and international organizations.
- Nordic Tax Research Council Article Prize (2017)
Linderfalk has supervised doctoral candidates such as Samantha S. O'Donnell and Luca Lo Giacco. He has received multiple research grants, including a EUR 1 million Spanish Government grant (2025–2029) as principal investigator. He is currently under consideration for an ERC Advanced Grant, having reached the second round two years consecutively. He is involved in international collaborations with scholars from Leiden, Copenhagen, Tilburg, and Lund.
He is active in academic networks, frequently invited to speak at institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, and Maastricht, and participates in seminars and conferences globally, including iCourts in Copenhagen and Maastricht University’s Globalization & Law Network.
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