Amelia Burnette

University of Strathclyde Postgraduate Award, University of Strathyclyde - Law

Since obtaining her juris doctor from the University of North Carolina, Amelia's career has focused on protecting a healthy environment. Originally from the Southern Appalachians, Amelia grew up with the largest expanse of public lands in the eastern U.S. in her backyard. Surrounded by national forests, she learned the importance of healthy, wild ecosystems to sustaining communities. An immigration law course during undergraduate studies sparked Amelia’s interest in law as a mechanism to protect vulnerable populations. While a study abroad experience allowed her to see how poor pesticide management from agricultural operations has impacted communities in Central America. Equipped with practical legal experience, Amelia is excited to revisit the cross-cultural experiences that drove her to advocate for a healthy environment. Her research will examine a rights-based approach to achieving climate justice. She looks forward to engaging with Strathclyde Law School’s climate change litigation initiative and working with its research centres in human rights and environmental law. In her free time, Amelia enjoys exploring wild places and is excited about adventures that await her family in Scotland.