BIOGRAPHY
Professor Burleson has an LL.M. in International Law from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. As a Fulbright Specialist she is available to a teach summer course. She began participating in treaty negotiations at the United Nations in 1991 during proceedings for the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development and helped draft the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Agenda 21 and Rio Declaration. She has written reports for the United Nations and delivered presentations at United Nations conferences. Focusing on emerging International Law, Professor Burleson has been an advisor to UNICEF's Senior Advisor for the Environment and the New York Director of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). She has also written reports for the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). A particular focus was placed on design, development and implementation of human rights and environmental programs. She helped the UNEP Delegation and was a member of the National Wildlife Federation Delegation to the Copenhagen Climate Conference and a member of the UNICEF delegation to the Bali Climate Conference. Professor Burleson has also conducted legal research for Amnesty International's London based International Secretariat and New York based research division. At the University of South Dakota School of Law, Professor Burleson's courses include: Public International Law, Energy Law, United Nations Law, International Environmental Law, International Law and China, Property Law, Water Law, and Environmental Law. Her research addresses emerging International Environmental and Human Rights Law. [Download Articles Posted to SSRN]
Written Observations from Copenhagen [Download Word Doc]
The art of decision-making is practiced in knowing when to turn back and look for a different route, when to stand still, when to step, and when to jump. Each has its advantage and its risk. -- Edwin Sharp
Director, Public Interest Network
Professor Burleson launched the Public Interest Network (PIN) by swimming 3 hours across the Missouri River to fund student public interest grants. [More Info]
