Dr. Rupert Stuart Smith

Professor

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Biography

Rupert Stuart-Smith is the Deputy Director and Senior Researcher at the Oxford Sustainable Law Programme, where he focuses on Climate Science Law. His research aims to advance methods in attribution science to elucidate the impacts of climate change on health, glaciers, and extreme weather events. In 2025, he co-led the development of guidance on attributing health impacts caused by climate change. He examines the implications of climate science developments for corporate actors’ legal duties and publishes findings on climate litigation and climate-related financial risks. His recent work includes research on the legal scrutiny of states’ reliance on CO2 removal to meet climate targets and the effects of climate change, specifically glacial retreat in Peru, in the context of high-profile lawsuits like Lliuya v RWE. Rupert's expertise has led him to provide scientific advice and training for lawyers and judges and to serve as an expert advisor for the Interamerican Court of Human Rights. He has consulted for organizations including the Foundation for International Law and the Environment, Climate Analytics, and Vivid Economics. Rupert earned his DPhil and BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Oxford and received the Alfred Steers Prize from the Royal Geographical Society.

Research Interests

Experience

Deputy Director & Senior Researcher

— Present

Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment • Oxford

Focused on Climate Science Law, advancing attribution science, and providing research and advice on climate-related legal issues.

Requirements for University of Oxford

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:24
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Politics, International Relations, Economics, History, Law, Philosophy or Sociology
Application Checklist
  • Three academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Statement of Purpose (1,000 words)
  • Two academic essays (2,000 words each)
Specialization Notes

Department of Politics and International Relations - Higher Level English requirement.