Jonathan Liljeblad

Jonathan Liljeblad is an Associate Professor at the College of Law, Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD and JD from the University of Southern California, an MS from the University of Washington, and a BS from the California Institute of Technology. His research focuses on promoting international norms in developing countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, with a focus on Indigenous rights, human rights, and environmental law. His work is supported by organizations like the Asia Development Bank and the Danish Institute of Human Rights. He bridges academia, government, and civil society through interdisciplinary collaborations to influence policy-makers and societal leaders. Liljeblad is a member of the Pa’Oh Indigenous peoples of Shan State, Myanmar, and grew up in Sweden and the United States.

His research interests include international law, law & society, rule-of-law, environmental law, and law & development. He leads the 'Law, governance and institutions' research group and contributes to studies on Indigenous peoples and adaptation in Asia-Pacific. His recent publications (2022–2024) address Myanmar’s constitutional challenges, environmental governance, and the intersection of human rights with global legal frameworks.

Liljeblad’s work emphasizes 'scholactivism,' linking academic research to advocacy, particularly in contexts of political transition and environmental justice. He has advised on policy reforms and collaborated on initiatives like the Zero Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific (ZCEAP) program. Despite no listed awards, his contributions to bridging legal theory and practice are notable.

He is affiliated with ANU’s Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) and contributes to its research clusters on climate resilience and energy policy. His work often involves field studies in Myanmar and cross-cultural collaborations to address global-local legal challenges.