What is the role of Student Ambassadors?

Selected ambassadors will:

  • Represent the Lawful by Design initiative on their campus or institution

  • Promote awareness of IHL and legal review obligations through events, workshops, and campaigns

  • Collaborate with Article 36 Legal and fellow ambassadors to share ideas, content, and best practices

  • Participate in virtual training and networking sessions with experts in law, ethics, and technology

  • Contribute to Article 36 Legal blog posts, LBD Live podcast interviews, or student-led outreach materials

  • Serve for a term of one academic year, with opportunities for renewal

Benefits to you

  • Recognition as a Lawful by Design Student Ambassador

  • Access to expert mentoring and interdisciplinary training

  • Certificate of participation and LinkedIn endorsement

  • Opportunity to contribute to real-world policy and education initiatives

  • Priority consideration for internships, project collaborations, and future roles with Article 36 Legal

Call for Expressions of Interest

We are now accepting expressions of interest for the inaugural cohort of Lawful by Design Student Ambassadors (2025–2026).

If you are passionate about the responsible development of military technologies and want to promote ethical and lawful innovation on your campus, we want to hear from you.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following via email to here by 15 September 2025:

  • A short statement of interest (max. 300 words) outlining:

    • Why you are interested in the ambassador role

    • Any relevant academic or extracurricular experience

    • How you plan to promote Lawful by Design at your institution

  • Your CV (max. 1 pages)

  • Contact information for one academic or professional referee

Lawful by Design Student Ambassador Scheme

Overview

The Lawful by Design Student Ambassador Scheme is an initiative by Article 36 Legal to promote awareness of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the legal review of weapons under Article 36 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, particularly among the next generation of researchers, engineers, and innovators.

As AI, autonomy, robotics, and emerging military technologies become increasingly integrated into national defence strategies, students and early-career researchers in law, engineering, computer science, and defence studies will play a vital role in shaping these systems. However, general knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks governing the development and use of such technologies remains limited, especially the obligations under Article 36.

This Student Ambassador Scheme aims to bridge this gap by empowering students to become informed advocates for responsible and lawful innovation in military technology.

Objectives

The Lawful by Design Student Ambassador Scheme will:

  • Raise awareness of IHL obligations and the requirement to conduct legal reviews under Article 36

  • Promote understanding of the intersection between law, ethics, and emerging technologies in military contexts

  • Encourage interdisciplinary dialogue across faculties (law, engineering, philosophy, defence studies, AI, etc.)

  • Provide leadership and public engagement opportunities for students

  • Contribute to the creation of a community of emerging professionals committed to the responsible design and use of military technologies

Who Should Apply?

We invite expressions of interest from undergraduate, honours, master's, and PhD students who are studying or researching in one or more of the following areas:

  • International law / IHL / arms control

  • Engineering and defence technology

  • Robotics and autonomy

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning

  • Ethics, philosophy, or policy relating to emerging tech and warfare

Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to public service, academic integrity, and responsible innovation.