Birmingham Law School and Cambridge University Press are still mourning the untimely loss of Robert Cryer, Professor of International and Criminal Law, a true friend and colleague.

Not only was Rob a genuinely world-leading authority in international law but he also showed a unique dedication to his students and to the younger generations of scholars.

To honour his memory and legacy, BLS and CUP are instituting an annual prize for the best PhD thesis in international law.

While special preference will be given to submissions in international criminal law and international humanitarian law, fields in which Rob was a towering figure, theses in general international law, as well as other specialist areas will also be considered (such as, human rights law, environmental and energy law, trade and investment law, international dispute settlement etc) in homage to Rob’s sheer intellectual curiosity and inquisitiveness. In its evaluation, what the jury will particularly value is the rigour and originality of analysis, as well as the contribution to  scholarship.

PhD/doctoral theses in the identified areas defended in the calendar year 2020. The theses must be written in English.

Candidates must submit

a) a brief cover letter/statement (1 page) with an abstract of the thesis explaining the originality of its contribution, and including full contact details

b) the final examiners/jury report or similar final decision/certificate awarding the PhD

c) the full thesis (in Word or pdf format). Submissions must be sent to the following email address (l.rubini@bham.ac.uk) with “Robert Cryer PhD prize submission” in the subject of the message by 12 pm GMT on 31 August 2021.

The winner will receive £500 in CUP books.