Steven Wheatley is Professor of International Law at the University of Lancaster. His recent work has focused on the implications of complexity theory for the study of international law, and he has just published The Idea of Human Rightswith Oxford University Press (2019), which examines the subject through the lens of complexity theory. Steven retains a long-standing interest in the relationship between international law and the theory and practice of democracy, including Democracy, Minorities and International Law(2005) and The Democratic Legitimacy of International Law(2010). He is presently examining the ways that international law regulates the place of outsiders in democratic politics, including the legality of outside states looking to influence the outcome of elections. 

Professor Wheatley is happy to hear from potential PhD students with proposals in the field of international law, with a particular interest in democracy, human rights and the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples.

Before coming to Lancaster, I was Professor of International Law at the University of Leeds. I have also worked at the Universities of Liverpool, UWE, Bristol, and Central Lancashire.