Profile

Thomas Baycock
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant
Tom joined the teaching team at the University of Exeter in January 2021 teaching environmental law and some additional sessions on laws in Antarctica. He is currently researching for his PhD in law, titled “From Environmental Law to Ecological Law: Reinterpreting Sovereign Principles for a Greener Criminal Law in the Polar North”.
Tom previously completed his Master of Laws LLM in September 2020 at the University of Exeter where he received The Dean’s Commendation for exceptional performance. Prior to this he completed a BA (Hons) in History with International Relations at Plymouth University.
Research interests
Tom’s PhD research engages in critiques of environmental law and examines whether there is now a need for an ecological law with a greater reliance on scientific input. The research examines what an ecological law may look like, and focusses specifically on the ‘greening ’of two specific areas of law: a reinterpretation of sovereignty to improve outlooks for biodiversity, and a greening of criminal law with a consideration of the concept of ecocide as a fifth crime under the Rome Statute.
His other research interests include:
- Environmental Law
- Law of the Sea
- Polar Law
- Environmental Criminal Law
- Climate Law and Justice
- Legal Personhood and Rights of Nature
- Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
Modules taught
- LAW1016C - A Legal Foundation for Environmental Protection
- LAW2016C - Environmental Regulation and Redress
- LAW3016C - Legal Response to Environmental Destruction