Read the stories of our Environmental policy and law alumni and see where their studies have taken them. From different career paths to personal growth, they share how our programme played a role in their journeys.
Careers
The aim of the programme is to prepare graduates for the global employment market. The academic skills provided by the programme qualify graduates for a variety of expert level positions in the field of environment, natural resource management and climate change governance. Graduates may expect, for example, to become consultants or environmental leaders within the business sector, officers for national or European Union-level environmental and natural resource administration, or to secure positions in the field of international environmental diplomacy and law making in the governmental or non-governmental sectors.
You may find an alumni group at LinkedIn which is set up for networking and communication purposes for our graduated students. Please find the group UEF MDP in Environmental Policy and Law through LinkedIn and join us!
Nina Koistinen, Finland/Brazil/Irland
Master of International and Comparative Law, Majored Environmental and Climate Change Law, Year of graduation: 2023
“During my Master's programme, I had the opportunity to do a two-month remote internship with the UN Environment Programme, assisting the InforMEA team in producing content for their e-learning platform on environmental law. Additionally, I joined CCEEL as a research assistant on the 4iTraction project, focusing on gathering data on EU climate litigation.
My primary focus is climate litigation, an interest stemming from my master's thesis. I'm currently a research assistant with the RETOOL project at CCEEL. Specifically, I'm intrigued by rights-based litigation and how courts apply substantive and procedural rights in the context of climate change. This area reveals the very human face of climate change, which I think is important to remember in terms of achieving climate justice, as well as being an issue area with lots of impending developments, making it exciting to follow.
Learning from top scholars in areas like international climate law and climate litigation has been priceless. UEF's supportive learning environment promotes self-directed learning and flexibility, empowering me to delve into topics I'm passionate about.
In the future, I hope to complete a PhD in the area and would like to connect research with practical, on-the-ground work supporting NGOs and individuals active in climate litigation. I particularly admire the work of organisations like ClientEarth and Earthjustice, who support civil society to take their climate-related grievances to court”.
Niklas Löther, Germany
Master of Social Sciences, Majored in Natural Resources Governance, Year of graduation: 2022
"During my Master's thesis, I investigated why short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) are not sufficiently regulated internationally, despite their significant impact on climate and human health. Despite their importance, international law has largely ignored them.
Tracing the history of SLCP science and policy responses, I found a critical gap between awareness and action. This issue remains under-researched, but my journey has been rewarding. My thesis won the Yrjö Haila Award for the best Master's thesis in environmental policy and is now my first academic publication.
I am now working on my PhD at the UEF. I'm studying the governance of the climate-pollution interface in EU countries. As part of the ClimAirPathways project with CCEEL and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, we're looking at the integration of climate and air pollution governance. From a legal to a scientific perspective, it's a complex but vital endeavour.
Thanks to the Master's programme, I'm equipped with the academic foundation for my PhD studies, but I've also been able to make invaluable contacts. From an internship at CCEEL to coordinating international events, it has facilitated a seamless transition from student to working academic. I think many students here have a similar experience: There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in projects while you are still a student.
It looks like I'll be working in research for the foreseeable future - it certainly hasn't got boring yet!
Marie Talaïa-Coutandin
Master of International and Comparative Law, Majored Environmental and Climate Change Law, Minored in Natural Resources Governance, Year of graduation: 2022
‘I am interested in the intersection between climate action and climate justice, more precisely in the transitions from a fossil economy to a fossil-free economy, and the impact of such transitions on biodiversity and human rights.
During my Master's Programme, I gained insights into various environmental policy and law areas, providing a broad perspective on issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The emphasis on international law's influence on domestic policies and the significance of policy-making for climate action were key learnings for me.
Alongside my studies, I engaged in legal research and policy-making roles in organizations focusing on intersecting areas such as human rights, climate change, and law enforcement. This included projects at Université de Sherbrooke (Canada), the Center for Climate Change, Energy, and Environmental Law (CCEEL; Finland), the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL; Switzerland), and the Department of Environment of the Government of Canada.
The Masters Programme greatly influenced my career by providing a wealth of knowledge in environmental areas and allowing me to delve deeper into my specific interests. I had the privilege of learning from inspiring professors and working in organizations dedicated to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. Now, I serve as the Program Associate for the Fossil Economy Program at CIEL, following a year as a Legislative Policy Analyst with the government, both roles stemming from my traineeships’.