University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

This doctoral programme centres on independent research culminating in a substantial dissertation that advances knowledge in gender, international and comparative law. Coursework and training are tailored to develop advanced theoretical, doctrinal and empirical skills. Typical components include:

• Core research training: advanced legal theory, comparative methods, feminist and gender theory, and research design for qualitative and quantitative legal research.
• Specialist seminars: international human rights law, gender and the law, migration and refugee law, Indigenous rights, family law in comparative perspective, law and development, and transnational sexual and reproductive rights.
• Methodological modules: qualitative methods (interviews, ethnography), comparative legal analysis, empirical methods for legal scholars, and fieldwork preparation.
• Interdisciplinary electives: options drawn from anthropology, sociology, political science, public health and Pacific studies to support comparative and contextual approaches.
• Language and regional competence: encouragement to acquire language skills relevant to the student’s research (for example, languages of the Asia–Pacific) and to engage with regional primary sources.
• Comprehensive examination and proposal: a written and/or oral qualifying examination followed by preparation and defence of a dissertation proposal.
• Dissertation: an original, book‑length research project supervised by faculty with expertise in gender, international and comparative law, with opportunities for archival research, fieldwork and partnerships with NGOs or intergovernmental bodies.

Programme structure

Students typically combine a period of taught seminars and research training with qualifying examinations and then focus on doctoral research under faculty supervision. The programme encourages interdisciplinary collaboration across units such as Pacific and Asian studies, public health, and social sciences, and supports participation in workshops, conferences and practicum placements relevant to gender and international legal issues.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a strong academic background in law or a closely related discipline. Typical requirements include:

• a first professional law degree (JD, LLB) and/or a postgraduate law degree (LLM) or an equivalent master’s degree in a related field;
• a clear and feasible research proposal demonstrating fit with the department’s strengths in gender, international and comparative law;
• academic transcripts showing strong performance in relevant coursework;
• letters of recommendation from academic referees who can speak to the applicant’s research potential;
• a writing sample (such as a thesis chapter, law review article, or substantial course paper) that reflects analytical rigour and engagement with legal scholarship;
• curriculum vitae outlining relevant professional, research or advocacy experience;
• evidence of English language proficiency if the applicant’s prior degree was not taught in English (standardised test scores or institutional proof may be required).

Admissions are competitive and candidates with interdisciplinary experience, fieldwork, or significant policy/NGO experience in gender and international law are particularly well placed. Prospective applicants should check the school’s doctoral admissions guidance for any additional requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of this PhD typically pursue careers that demand high-level research, teaching and policy expertise. Common pathways include:

• academic careers as university faculty teaching and researching gender, international and comparative law;
• research positions in university research centres, think‑tanks and policy institutes focused on gender, human rights and international law;
• senior roles in international organisations, development agencies and intergovernmental bodies addressing gender equality, human rights and migration;
• leadership and advocacy positions within NGOs and civil society organisations working on women’s rights, Indigenous rights, and transnational justice;
• policy advisory and legislative drafting roles in government ministries, regional organisations or legal consultancies;
• specialist legal practice in areas such as human rights litigation, asylum and refugee law, or comparative legal reform.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa offers a distinctive setting for research on gender, international and comparative law because of its geographic and intellectual position bridging the Asia–Pacific and the Americas. The William S. Richardson School of Law’s links to Pacific and Indigenous legal issues, together with interdisciplinary centres and regional partnerships, provide rich opportunities for contextualised comparative research and field engagement.

Students benefit from access to specialist library collections, devoted faculty supervision, and a collaborative environment that emphasises engagement with regional communities and policymakers. The university’s location supports research on Pacific Islander, Asian and Indigenous legal traditions and helps students develop comparative perspectives that are especially relevant to global and regional legal challenges in gender and human rights.