Exeter College Student Awarded Inaugural Sir Ian Brownlie Scholarship

Aakarsh Banyal (2023–24, BCL; 2024–25, MPhil Law Candidate) has been awarded the inaugural Sir Ian Brownlie Scholarship by the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Law for the DPhil in Law programme. The prestigious scholarship commemorates the legacy of Professor Sir Ian Brownlie, a preeminent practitioner in international law, and is generously supported by Lady Christine Brownlie.

Professor Sir Ian Brownlie CBE, QC, FBA, was the Chichele Professor of Public International Law and a Distinguished Fellow of All Souls College. His contributions to the field included appearances before the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights, and the European Court of Justice. Some of his most high-profile cases include Nicaragua v. United States, Libya v. United States, Pakistan v. India, and Loizidou v. Turkey. He also notably advised President Jimmy Carter during the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis.

Reflecting on the award, Aakarsh said, “I am deeply grateful to be a recipient of the Sir Ian Brownlie Scholarship. This support will enable me to pursue my DPhil in Law, and I am sincerely thankful to Lady Christine Brownlie for her generous backing, as well as to the PIL Research Group, my supervisors, and the Law Faculty for their invaluable support. Sir Ian’s enduring legacy has inspired many, including myself, to follow a path in international law. I hope to serve as a committed ambassador for the scholarship and the values it embodies through my work.”

Aakarsh will hold the Sir Ian Brownlie Scholarship in conjunction with the Dr Mrs Ambriti Salve Scholarship at Exeter College.

To learn more about the Faculty of Law and its scholarship opportunities, visit the Oxford Law Faculty website.