Aman Kumar
I started the Indian Blog of International Law out of sheer love for the field of international law. Over the years, the blog has had immense success and has drawn some great ‘Guest-Posts‘. October 2017 is when I posted the first piece and since then I have written 100 pieces, this one being the 101st one, and have had the fortune of editing and publishing another 25 guest-posts. These posts covered issues relating to international criminal law, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, international environmental law, international commercial law etc.
In April 2022, I started a podcast on International Law (IL-Literate: An International Law Podcast, which you can see on the right [→] of the desktop screen or bottom [↓] of the phone screen). While on the blog, I discussed contemporary international law, I took the TWAILer inside me to the podcast where I invited guests to talk about legal history, focused primarily on international law. I have had guests with whom I have discussed issues like political economy of the seas, how to write the history of international law (in Hindi and Bhojpuri), sovereignty of princely states of India, Teaching international law in India, caste and international law. In addition to these, the podcast also has scholars talking about constitutional history, scholactivism, Erga Omnes obligation of states etc.
The blog has been read in more than 150 countries and the podcast has been heard in more than 50 countries. What is particularly encouraging for me is the fact that beyond USA, UK, Australia, Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany who remain in the top-10 viewers of the blog, a sustained following has been from south-Asia with Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives and Nepal, all in top-15 viewers list. Another encouraging theme is the kind of post which are being read often. The fact that this piece on Prof. Rahmatullah Khan, written by Swati Singh Parmar, is the second-most read piece of the blog gives me immense satisfaction about the kind of work I am doing on the blog. That’s why, when I posted on LinkedIn about loaning the blog, I felt a tinge of sadness. But pursuing a PhD means that I am unable to devote as much time as is required for following contemporary events in international law, both in India and abroad. Hence, the blog is available for loan for a year, the terms of which are as follows:
Anyone who is passionate about international law and has prior publications on international law (articles/chapters/blogs/podcast) is welcome to submit the following documents via email to editoribil@gmail.com by 20 December 2024:
a) in 300 words explain why are you applying to IBIL,
b) in 300-400 words, critique an IBIL post published between 2022-2024 and,
c) copy of your publications (upto 3, send the final version of published pieces, active web-links of blogs and podcasts).
Shortlisted people might be called for an online discussion before a final decision is made on their involvement with the blog.
If selected, you will be:
i) mentored to write pieces for the IBIL,
ii) organise symposiums and book discussions for the blog,
iii) takeover administration of the blog (this includes corresponding with authors and editors) and,
iv) share the scholarship produced by IBIL.
Moreover, there are plans to pair you up with professors of international law for more hands-on help with developing your own research projects.