International Humanitarian Law and Disruptive Technology

Postgraduate | 2026

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area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
LAWS 5069
Course ID icon
Course ID
204078
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
5
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course explores the legal impact of emerging, sensitive and disruptive technologies upon armed conflict. It tracks the legal issues across the life-cycle of these technologies: the legal issues related to acquisition, such as manufacturers liability and states responsibility for the design and development of these technologies; the issues related to their fielding during international and non-international armed conflict, as well as use in operations other than armed conflict, such as grey-zone operations and peacekeeping; and finally addresses the use of technology in enforcing compliance with IHL. Utilising contemporary examples, such as the use of evidence collection apps in the current Ukraine conflict for war crimes evidence, the course culminates with students writing a short assessment on how a selected technology can mitigate or exacerbate legal risk in armed conflict, and a research paper on a legal issue canvassed during the course

Course learning outcomes

  • Describe the nature of the regulation of military capabilities by international law, specifically export controls, non-proliferation and weapons law

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A