ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´

Meet Janakan Muthukumar! Janakan is pursuing a PhD in Legal Studies under the supervision of Professor Sean Richmond. Janakan is the recipient of this year’s Transformation Scholarship for Graduate Students.

1. What led you to pursue your PhD in Legal Studies at ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´?
ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´’s Department of Law and Legal Studies stood out to me for its interdisciplinary ethos and commitment to tackling real-world legal and policy issues with intellectual depth. My academic and professional background sits at the intersection of international law, security, and human rights—areas that the department not only embraces but leads in. I was particularly drawn to ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´’s emphasis on critical legal scholarship, the faculty’s diverse expertise, and the department’s culture of mentorship and public engagement. After speaking with several faculty members and current students, I knew it was the right place to develop my ideas in a rigorous and supportive environment.

2. Tell us about your research, and what you hope to gain out of it by the time you complete your degree.
My research examines how, if at all, international law influenced Canada’s nuclear weapons policy between 1957 and 1984. While Canada’s nuclear history has often been studied through strategic or political lenses, I focus on the legal dimension—analyzing how international legal norms were understood, debated, and invoked by Canadian policymakers during key moments of decision-making. This includes not only disarmament and non-proliferation treaties, but also broader principles such as sovereignty, collective self-defence, and humanitarian law. Drawing on archival materials, diplomatic correspondence, and theoretical frameworks like interactional international law, I explore how law shaped Canada’s nuclear trajectory—not as a rigid constraint, but as a set of norms that helped define Canada’s identity, legitimate its policies, and navigate alliance obligations under NATO and NORAD.

By the time I complete my degree, I hope to produce not just a historical account, but a meaningful intervention in how we think about the role of law in shaping national security policy. My goal is to demonstrate that international legal norms—even in areas as politically charged as nuclear weapons—are not peripheral, but central to how states like Canada define their choices, justify their actions, and project their identities. I also hope my work contributes to broader conversations about the future of disarmament, the credibility of international legal commitments, and the responsibilities of middle powers in upholding a rules-based international order. At a time when global arms control is under strain, I believe understanding the legal foundations of past restraint can help us imagine new paths forward.

3. What advice would you give to incoming students?
Graduate studies can be both rewarding and overwhelming, so my first piece of advice is to embrace the long view—recognize that scholarship is a process, and it’s okay to not have everything figured out at the start. Build relationships with faculty and fellow students; ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´â€™s community is rich with people who are generous with their time and ideas. Also, carve out space to read widely and critically—even beyond your discipline. Some of the most meaningful breakthroughs come from unexpected places. Lastly, don’t underestimate the value of self-care and setting boundaries—this work takes stamina, and so does taking care of yourself along the way.

Are you interested in learning more about our graduate programs? You can find more details here!