Title: Arbitration from Evolution to Codification: Science, Politics, and the Environment in International Water Law

doctoral research explores the evolution of arbitration in international water law and its transformation from a diplomatic tool into a formalized legal mechanism for resolving transboundary water disputes. It critically examines how arbitration engages with the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization (ERU) and no significant harm (NSH), tracing its development through key codifications such as the Helsinki Rules (1966), the UN Watercourses Convention (1997), and subsequent arbitral practice.

Through case analysis—including Lac Lanoux, Gabčíkovo–Nagymaros, Pulp Mills, and Kishenganga, the research investigates how environmental science, political dynamics, and legal norms intersect in water-related arbitration. It argues that while arbitration promotes neutrality and legal order, it often lacks consistency in integrating scientific evidence and addressing hydro-political inequalities.

To bridge these gaps, the thesis introduces the Science–Law–Justice Triad Framework, proposing a hybrid model of arbitration that incorporates scientific transparency, legal precision, and distributive justice. The study contributes to reimagining arbitration as an adaptive institution capable of addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and ecological sustainability in transboundary water governance.