Explore the dynamic field of public law through stories that highlight its global and local impact. From uOttawa’s landmark hosting of the world’s leading public law conference, stewarded by the Public Law Centre, to Professor Michael Pal’s innovative research on democracy in a year when elections affected nearly half the world’s population, public law remains at the forefront topical discussions nearly every day of the year. Discover Professor Paul Daly’s celebrated expertise in administrative law and Professor Carissima Mathen’s distinguished contributions to legal writing. Learn about groundbreaking research projects, including postdoctoral researchers exploring unwritten constitutional principles and legislative reform, Professor Sylvia Rich’s innovative work on the theory of punishment and Professor François Larocque’s ongoing work leading the way in proposing transformative developments for the legal frameworks governing language rights. These stories showcase how public law shapes democracy, justice, and governance worldwide, and how our researchers are shaping public law.
Research Report 2023-2024
Public Law
This page provides a glimpse of some exciting research projects and highlights several experts exploring the area of Public Law, including a look back at the 2024 Public Law Conference, a look forward to some exciting funded research projects and an introduction to two postdoctoral researchers.
Research at the cutting edge of public law
International conference
International conference
“Public Law: Rights, Duties and Power”: The 2024 Public Law Conference
In July 2024, the world’s leading public law conference came to North America for the first time, stewarded by the Public Law Centre.
Trans-Atlantic Platform Grant
Trans-Atlantic Platform Grant
Democracy in crisis: Professor Michael Pal explores new approaches
With elections across Asia, Europe and America, nearly half of the world’s population will have the chance to vote this year.
URC in Administrative Law
URC in Administrative Law
Professor Paul Daly is shaping the evolution of administrative law
Professor Daly is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in administrative law.
Insight Development Grant
Insight Development Grant
Professor Sylvia Rich explores proportionality in sentencing
Professor Sylvia Rich sees a gap in the existing theoretical literature on punishment; she is embarking on a new project to address that gap.
Canadian Francophonie
Canadian Francophonie
Professor François Larocque is innovating at the forefront of language rights
Professor Larocque is exploring the legal frameworks of language rights while proposing ways to improve their development and implementation.
Recognizing excellence
Canadian constitutional law
Canadian constitutional law
Carissima Mathen Celebrated for Contributions to Legal Writing
In 2023, the Attorney General of Ontario, presented Professor Carissima Mathen with the David Mundell Medal for her contributions to legal writing.
Outstanding contributions
Outstanding contributions
Professor Paul Daly recognized for contributions to public law
Professor Paul Daly was selected as a winner of the 2023 Lexpert Rising Stars Awards.
Postdoctoral leaders
Postdoctoral fellow
Postdoctoral fellow
Postdoc Joanne Murray explores unwritten constitutional principles and norms
Dr. Joanne Murray’s research focuses on the ways in which unwritten constitutional principles and norms are power-conferring in nature.
Postdoctoral fellow
Postdoctoral fellow
Postdoc Seána Glennon explores how citizens’ assemblies can enhance democracy
Dr. Glennon’s doctoral research focuses on the role of citizen deliberation in constitutional and legislative reform processes.