Irus Braverman

Irus Braverman is a Research Professor and William J. Magavern Faculty Scholar in the Department of Environment and Sustainability at the University at Buffalo, within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds an affiliation with the School of Law, integrating legal frameworks into her interdisciplinary research. Her work focuses on animal studies, environmental conservation, legal geography, and science policy. Key research themes include the intersections of law, nature, and technology, with emphasis on settler colonialism's impact on ecosystems and wildlife conservation in contested regions like Palestine-Israel.

Braverman's research explores topics such as coral reef protection as a human rights issue, the ethical implications of genetic engineering in conservation, and the role of surveillance and technology in environmental governance. She critiques colonial conservation practices and advocates for decolonial approaches to ecological management. Her work frequently employs legal ethnography and interdisciplinary methodologies to analyze how legal systems interact with natural and more-than-human worlds.

Notable awards include the William J. Magavern Faculty Scholar designation. Her scholarship bridges law, science, and humanities, addressing urgent global challenges ranging from climate justice to zoonotic disease governance. She actively engages with policy debates on ocean laws, biodiversity rights, and the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies in conservation.