Dr Dominic Dagbanja

Dr Dominic Dagbanja is a senior law lecturer and researcher, specialising in international investment law and in the consequences of investment and trade treaties for public interest regulation. He seeks to theorise on the role of national constitutions and general international law in the making, interpretation and enforcement of these treaties.

After studying sociology and law at the University of Ghana and Ghana School of Law, Dr Dagbanja received admission to Ghana Bar as a lawyer where he practised in a law firm that was then primarily a corporate and commercial law practice. He has an extensive history of education at a number of universities around the world including the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, The George Washington University and The University of Auckland where he completed his Doctor of Philosophy.

Dr Dagbanja honed his skills in teaching, research and practice before focusing his research on the intersection of international economic law and the right of states to regulate under national constitutions and general international law.

He is currently developing a new unit at UWA on International Investment Law. This unit is being designed for undergraduate business and commerce students. It provides the opportunity for students to study the history of International Investment Law and substantive protection of foreign direct investment under international investment agreements.

Globally, there are over 3,000 investment treaties signed by states for the promotion and protection of investments. These treaties come with consequences for the right of states to regulate in the public interest and this demonstrates the global importance of International Investment Law and the need for a unit of this nature to be taught in law schools. Dr Dagbanja’s continued research in the area allows him to practice research-led teaching.

• BA (Hons), University of Ghana
• LLB (Hons), University of Ghana
• BL, Ghana Law School
• LLM, The George Washington University
• LLM, University of the Pacific 
• GradCertTerTeach, The University of Western Australia
• PhD, The University of Auckland 

External positions:

• Associate Director, UWA Africa Research and Engagement Centre (AfREC)