Milka Sormunen

My expertise includes constitutional law, human rights law and European law, with a focus on the rights and legal status of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups, especially children and migrants. My doctoral thesis, which I defended in March 2021, addresses the concept of the best interests of the child in human rights practice. The thesis builds on empirical analysis of Finnish, European and international case law from the perspective of constitutional and human rights law.

I am involved in three research projects (SepaRope, TrUE and RECONNECT) at the Erik Castrén Institute of International Law and Human Rights. My current research concerns transparency and separation of powers in EU migration law as well as responses to the Covid-19 pandemic from the perspective of rule of law. In addition, I continue to study themes related to constitutional law, human rights law and children’s rights. I am also interested in the relationship between climate change and human rights as well as empirical and socio-legal approaches to law.

I teach European law and constitutional law, and I am happy to advise students on the above themes.