Ratana Ly brings a rich academic and professional background to HRREC. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Victoria, an LLM from Nagoya University, and an LLB from the Royal University of Law and Economics. Her international experience includes research fellowships and study visits in New Zealand, Korea, Germany, Estonia, and Sweden.
From 2014 to 2017, she served as a law researcher at the Center for the Study of Humanitarian Law (CSHL) in Cambodia, where she continues to contribute as a senior research fellow. In this role, she teaches international human rights law and supports local communities and non-profit organizations through legal research and advocacy.
Her research interests span transnational regulation, business and human rights, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), transitional justice, and law and religion. At HRREC, Ratana will investigate the social and environmental impacts of Canadian mining operations in Southeast Asia. Guided by Professor Penelope Simons, her project will explore how Canadian companies engage with diverse stakeholders and how legal pluralism can inform more effective regulatory frameworks across host and home states.
Her commitment to interdisciplinary research, fieldwork, and collaboration with multi-stakeholders—including government officials, civil society, and marginalized communities—makes her a valuable addition to HRREC’s vibrant research community.
We look forward to the contributions Ratana will make during her fellowship year.