Y.Y. Brandon Chen (SJD, MSW, JD, University of Toronto; BSc, Emory University) is an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, Common Law Section. A lawyer and social worker by training, Professor Chen’s research examines laws and policies at the intersection of health and international migration, with a particular focus on the structural drivers of health inequities facing noncitizens and racialized minorities. His published work (available via ResearchGate) has addressed such topics as health rights litigation, migrant and refugee health, social determinants of health, public health related border governance, and medical tourism.
He is currently the Dean’s Research Professor in Migrant Health Equity and a member of the University of Ottawa’s Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics; Public Law Centre; and Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health.
Besides his scholarly pursuits, Professor Chen is actively engaged in community-based initiatives. He has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including the HIV Legal Network, the Community Alliance for Accessible Treatment, and the Canadian Centre on Statelessness. He has also provided pro bono legal services to community organizations, most recently serving as co-counsel for the FCJ Refugee Centre and the Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre in their joint intervention before the Supreme Court of Canada in Quebec (AG) v Kanyinda.
Professor Chen currently teaches in the areas of public and constitutional law, health law, and immigration and refugee law.
For regular updates on Professor Chen’s research, media appearances, and community engagement activities, please visit: www.yybrandonchen.com