Lucas RoordaView profile
Assistant Professor
Dr. Lucas Roorda is an Assistant Professor in the Department of International and European Law at Utrecht University's Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance. He is also a researcher at the Utrecht Centre for Accountability and Liability Law (UCALL). His academic work focuses on the intersection of international law, human rights, and corporate accountability, particularly examining how national and international legal systems interact in addressing corporate human rights violations. Dr. Roorda received his doctoral degree in 2019 from Utrecht University with his dissertation titled "Jurisdiction over foreign direct liability claims against transnational corporations in EU Member States: Increasing access to remedy for victims of corporate human rights violations." His research interests center on the complex relationship between international corporations and human rights law. Dr. Roorda examines how legal boundaries blur between international and national spheres, and how public and private interests intertwine in holding multinational corporations accountable for human rights violations. His work particularly focuses on access to justice for victims of corporate misconduct, transnational liability cases, and the evolving legal frameworks that govern corporate behavior across borders. He regularly analyzes current developments and court rulings in cross-border liability cases, contributing to ongoing academic and policy debates in this field. Dr. Roorda's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on corporate accountability within international legal frameworks. His publications reveal growing attention to sports mega-events and human rights, climate change accountability, and the practical implementation of business and human rights frameworks. The research shows progression from foundational work on jurisdictional issues toward more applied analyses of specific cases and emerging legal instruments, reflecting the evolving nature of business and human rights law as a field. Dr. Roorda actively contributes to academic discourse through teaching and public engagement. He coordinates the Master's course General Course: Public International Law and has previously taught the Bachelor's course IER and Capita Selecta: International Humanitarian Law. His academic service includes editorial work and participation in conferences focused on international law and human rights. He also engages with media outlets to discuss relevant legal issues, particularly regarding human rights concerns in international contexts such as the Qatar World Cup. As a member of the Utrecht Centre for Accountability and Liability Law (UCALL), Dr. Roorda contributes to this research group's mission of examining accountability mechanisms across various legal contexts. His work within this center focuses specifically on how legal systems can provide effective remedies for victims of corporate human rights abuses through innovative applications of jurisdictional principles and liability frameworks.

