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A distinguished International Law Scholar, Dr. Oluwateniola Akinbodewa, has been named Inaugural Dalferes Memorial Fund Laureate.
The honour is in recognition of her academic excellence and global legal impact as an emerging voice in public international law.
Dr. Akinbodewa is among inaugural recipients of the Rusty Dalferes Memorial Fund, a new honour bestowed by the International Law Students Association (ILSA).
She was selected for her outstanding record of scholarship, leadership, and service in international legal education.
The award supports distinguished international law experts who serve as judges in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition – the world’s largest moot court and a critical training ground for future diplomats, jurists, and scholars.
Among criteria considered in selecting Dr. Akinbodewa for the awards is the fact that her research centers on the Law of Treaties, state responsibility for internationally wrongful acts, and mechanisms of global accountability – areas that sit at the heart of today’s most pressing international disputes.
Her work examines how states cooperate, how they breach obligations, and how international law can be strengthened to respond to violations ranging from conflicts to environmental harm.
Meanwhile, Dr. Akinbodewa’s academic career is international in scope. Before earning her Doctorate in the United States, she completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honours at Belgorod State University in Russia, graduating at the top of her class.
Her cross-continental educational trajectory has shaped her reputation as a comparative legal thinker with a global outlook.
Accepting the award on September 12, 2025, Dr. Akinbodewa emphasized the meaning of being honoured in Rusty Dalferes’s name.
“Rusty believed that international law brings people together across borders, regardless of background or resources.
“To be recognized in his legacy affirms my commitment to advancing justice, cooperation, and global legal education,” she said.
Dr. Akinbodewa stated that the award marked a significant milestone in her career dedicated to transnational justice, legal education, and the rule of law.
With a powerful academic and experiential arsenal, Dr. Akinbodewa is poised to expand her academic and professional reach.
She, therefore, plans to continue judging international law competitions, publishing research on treaty law and state responsibility, and contributing to global policy conversations on accountability and interstate conduct.
Her selection as a Dalferes Laureate underscores a rising academic trajectory – one shaped by scholarly depth, international experience, and a sustained commitment to strengthening the global legal order.
