The University of California, Berkeley is a global leader in higher education. The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (“Berkeley Law”) is one of the world’s premier law schools and supports legal practitioners and scholars throughout the world.
The Berkeley Law Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in ESG (“Fellowship Program”) provides a structured and intensive exploration of environmental, social, governance (“ESG”) and sustainability concepts, research, and policies. The program is designed for postdoctoral scholars with PhDs or equivalent degrees. Through the program, participants will engage in cross-cultural discussions and exchanges with faculty, students, and research at Berkeley and from other countries.
Upon successful completion of the Fellowship Program, participants will receive a certificate of fellowship from Berkeley Law, validating their expertise in the burgeoning field of ESG and sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
The Fellowship Program is designed for postdoctoral scholars with PhDs or equivalent degrees from a recognized university. Ideal candidates may have the following backgrounds:
- Corporate executives interested in ESG and sustainability
- Industry experts seeking new opportunities in clean energy and carbon reduction innovation
- Academics looking to share and expand their knowledge of ESG and sustainability
- Government officers who may lead ESG and sustainability policy
- Legal professionals who want to expand their global networks
Why Should You Apply?
In addition to providing the opportunity to study at the University of California, Berkeley, the Fellowship Program provides a number of benefits and opportunities, including:
- Enhancing research capabilities and business acumen in the rapidly changing fields of ESG and sustainability
- Mentorship from industry leaders
- Access to Silicon Valley’s renowned institutions and companies
- Participation in Berkeley classes, workshops, and conferences (and access to comprehensive course materials and resources)
- Cultivation of a robust network of industry experts and researchers
- Support for development of teaching modules and case studies
Program Description
The Fellowship Program has a duration of approximately 12 months. Approved applicants can register immediately and begin their research.
Stage One: Immersion Week in Berkeley (October 2024)
This stage will take place over approximately two to three weeks in Berkeley, California. The stage will include intensive courses on ESG fundamentals, strategic meetings with program faculty, collaborative development of research proposals, self-study days on campus and hotel, class audits, educational tours at Silicon Valley institutions and companies, and immersion in local cultural experiences.
Stage Two: Virtual Engagement and Research (November 2024 – April 2025)
This stage will take place remotely with monthly online faculty engagements. The stage will allow for the advancement of individual research projects with sustained academic support and access to online resources from U.C. Berkeley.
Stage Three: Advanced Workshop in Berkeley (May 2025)
This stage will take place over approximately two weeks in Berkeley, California. The stage will include advanced discussions on research methodologies, participation in supplementary ESG focused courses, additional site visits, class audits, self-study days, and participation in special forums and events on campus.
Stage Four: Continued Research and Development (June 2025 – August 2025)
This stage will take place remotely and continue with monthly online faculty engagements. The stage will allow for deeper research progression and interactions to refine research projects.
Stage Five: Final Symposium and Certification in Berkeley (September 2025)
This stage will take place over approximately two weeks in Berkeley, California. The stage will include presentation of scholarly work to peers and faculty, a formal certification ceremony, and networking opportunities with a broader array of ESG professionals and academics.
Program Faculty
Adam Sterling is an Assistant Dean at Berkeley Law. In addition to his administrative duties, Adam teaches courses and oversees research on topics including venture finance, corporate governance, and ESG.
Stavros Gadinis is the George R. Johnson Professor of Law at Berkeley and the Faculty Director of the Berkeley Center for Law and Business. Professor Gadinis’s research examines questions in corporate law and financial regulation, both domestic and international. He is particularly interested in the interplay between companies and regulators, exploring the institutional framework for law enforcement, compliance, and risk management.
Gregory LaBlanc teaches primarily in the areas of finance and strategy in the MBA and Masters of Financial Engineering programs and in executive education. Professor LaBlanc has also worked in competitive intelligence and litigation consulting and has advised consulting teams in finance, marketing, and strategy. His research interests lie at the intersection of law, finance, and psychology, in the area of business strategy and risk management. LaBlanc is the recipient of teaching awards including the Earl F. Cheit Award for Outstanding Teaching and the Berkeley EWMBA Graduate Instructor of the year.
Angeli Patel is the Executive Director of the Berkeley Center for Law and Business. Previously, she was an attorney in the Sustainability & ESG Advisory Practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in San Francisco where she advised clients on the governance of climate and social risks, and a Lecturer at Berkeley Law. Angeli has also previously held roles at Jones Day in the corporate group and at the UN Global Compact Network Australia as advisor on anti-corruption and business & human rights. Prior to her legal career, Angeli served at the White House Office of Management and Budget under the Obama Administration and served as a policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on consumer privacy as well as the Ministry of Finance in Chile on government modernization. In addition to her career in law and government, Angeli leads and advises small businesses and startups.
Please contact Adam Sterling (asterling@law.berkeley.edu) for more information on how to apply.