Meet Our New Faculty | Dr. Akhila Basalalli
May 15, 2023
We extend a warm welcome to Dr. Akhila Gangadhar Basalalli who has joined us as Assistant Professor of Law.
Akhila’s area of interest and research is Public International Law. Akhila has previously taught at Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai, Christ University, Bangalore, Karnataka State Law University, Hubballi, and CMR University, Bangalore. She has published articles on Vachanas and the feminist movement, international rule of law, domestic courts and international law, third-world approaches and feminist approaches to international law.
We spoke to her to find out more about her interests and her work.
1. Can you tell us more about yourself?
I was born in Shimoga, Karnataka and did my schooling in Shimoga and Bangalore. I received my B.A., LL.B., and LL.M. degrees from the University of Mysore. During my LLM, I specialised in International and Business Law and secured gold medals from the University of Mysore. Following this, I went to JNU in New Delhi and earned my M.Phil. and Ph.D. in international law. My doctoral thesis examines the patterns in which international law is implemented in the Indian legal system.
I also enjoy reading literature in both Kannada and English, and I am trying to write a few pieces myself. My other interests are yoga and swimming.
2. What are your main areas of interest and teaching? How did your interest in these areas begin?
My primary area of interest and teaching is Public International Law and associated regimes therein. My alma mater JNU’s Centre for International Legal Studies has a long legacy of producing international law experts who have used their research and teaching to democratize international law that would better serve the needs of all socioeconomic classes, genders, and third-world nations. This influenced my interest in critical approaches to international law. There, I discovered the need of studying international law in conjunction with international relations and international politics, as well as how these fields are interconnected.
3. What will you be teaching at NLS?
In the upcoming trimesters, I will be teaching public international law as a core subject as well as other related fields of international law. I’m looking forward to offer a few elective courses, like comparative international law, domestic courts and international law, and third world studies, to name a few. Having taught international law for some years now, I have learnt that to teach international law in its formalist sense is to ignore the influence of global politics in its genesis and working. Since there is an observable pattern of systematic and normative convergence between international and domestic norms, I feel that there is a need to teach such subjects with a set of new methodologies. The need for reimagining international law from social structures is all the more felt given the pace of globalization and integration. I look forward to introducing these ideas and readings in the courses I plan to offer.
4. Your thoughts on starting your teaching journey at NLS? What are your plans ahead?
I am very excited to be teaching at NLSIU. I anticipate a lot of learning myself, as I have known the classes to be highly engaging and dynamic. I’m also envisioning a study circle for international studies that offers a forum for debate, discussions, and publications on the subject.
5. Could you highlight some of your key projects or publications?
I have primarily published in the fields of international law and water law. I co-edited a book on water laws and have written articles on water resource management. The other publications are on topics such as the international rule of law, domestic courts and international law, feminist and third-world perspectives on international law, Vachanas and feminism. I look forward to broaden my areas of interest in research.
To view full list of her publications, please visit Dr. Akhila’s faculty page.