Dr. Naz Modirzadeh

Biography

Naz K. Modirzadeh is a Professor of Practice and the Founding Director of the Program on International Law and Armed Conflict (PILAC) at Harvard Law School. Modirzadeh primarily teaches field public international law with a focus on issues such as the non-use of force, armed conflict, and counterterrorism. Her courses cover doctrinal aspects of public international law and laws of war, alongside seminars and reading groups discussing topics related to the United Nations Security Council, international lawyering, Global South statecraft, and international counterterrorism law. As the head of PILAC, she oversees initiatives dedicated to producing and distributing knowledge about international law concerning peace and war. The program publishes independent analyses, ranging from primers to extensive reports, which are regularly utilized by governments, U.N. actors, humanitarian organizations, armed forces, and scholars to tackle contemporary legal and policy challenges. Modirzadeh has briefed senior decision-makers and advised various stakeholders on international humanitarian issues, focusing on regions affected by conflicts, including Afghanistan and the Middle East. She has significant experience in leading trainings and facilitating discussions on international law policy with diplomats and humanitarian actors in conflict-affected areas.

Research Interests

Courses