Personal profile

Research profile

Nelson’s academic domain is the International Law of the Sea, focusing on environmental rules and standards applicable to the maritime transport sector. He is interested in studying interactions between sovereign states, global and regional geopolitical conflicts and questions of territoriality, boundaries and space in the ocean. His postdoctoral experience led him to also become a policy and governance arrangement analyst. In research projects he is usually the lawyer in a team of marine scientists and naval engineers, providing insights on jurisdiction.

Teaching profile

Introduction to Problem-Based Learning (PBL): problem analysis / systems thinking / research methodology / sustainability science / theory of science / ethical assessment

Sustainability E-Course: Module 1. Back to the Roots of Sustainability; Module 2. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; Module 9. Environmental justice, equity and power

Master in Urban, Energy and Environmental Planning (UEEP)

UEEP: The socio-technical context of planning (I: power; II: institutions; III: governance; IV: law)

Specialisation in Environmental Management and Sustainability Science (EMSS)

EMSS2: The role of international law in natural resource management

EMSS2: Human-wildlife conflict and coexistence

Bachelor of Techno-Anthropology (TAN)

TAN6: Project Management (interdisciplinary technology development and facilitation)

Bachelor of Geography (GEO) (at the Department of the Built Environment)

GEO5: International regulation of marine resources (the case of Marine Genetic Resources in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction)

GEO5: European Union policy on marine resources (the case of Maritime Spatial Planning in Denmark

GEO5: Globalization (I: institutions; II: geopolitics; III: civil society)

GEO6: Geopolitics & Geostrategy (I: foundations; II: critique; III: contemporary)

Administrative profile

Course coordinator:

PBL: Problem-based Learning (at the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience), with Lykke Brogaard Bertel 

UEEP: Socio-technical Context of Planning, with Søren Løkke

EMSS: Natural Resource Management, with Troels Jakob Hegland

TAN: Interdisciplinary Technology Development and Facilitation

PhD Supervision

Active PhD supervision:

  • Kristoffer Kloch: 'Sustainable Transport Ecosystems' (co-supervisor, 1.1.2024 - 31.12.2026)

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Education/Academic qualification

University Pedagogical Program (Universitetspædagogikum)

Jan 2021Dec 2021

Award Date: 31 Jan 2022

Public International Law, Doctor of Laws (PhD), Utrecht University

Jan 2014Jan 2018

Award Date: 12 Feb 2019

Public Law, Master of Laws (LLM), International Law / EU Law / Environmental Law / Energy Law / Industrial Property Law, University of Coimbra

Sept 2010Oct 2012

Award Date: 17 Jan 2013

International Politics and Conflict Resolution, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), University of Coimbra

Sept 2012Jul 2013

International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Coimbra

Nov 2009Jun 2012

Law, Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Coimbra

Sept 2005Jul 2010

Law, Certificat Supérieur de Droit Français et Européen (ERASMUS/LLP), Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas

Sept 2008Jul 2009

External positions

Research Intern, International Maritime Organization

Sept 2016Dec 2016

Keywords

  • Law
  • Seabed minerals
  • Ship-source pollution
  • Autonomous navigation
  • Marine mammals
  • Sea ports