Qaraman Hasan, PhD
University of Houston Law Center Research Scholar
June 17, 2025 - University of Houston Law Center research scholar Qaraman Hasan recently co-edited an issue of the Business and Human Rights Journal, which is a part of the Cambridge University Press. The issue also features an editorial article written by Hasan and a group of academic experts assessing the fairness of transition narratives in the energy and extractives sector. The issue included more than a dozen scholarly articles and developments in the field from scholars in both developing and developed worlds, with a broad geographical range and gender focus.
The article, titled “Beyond Just Transition: Advancing Responsible and Rights-Based Business Practices in the Energy and Extractives Sector”, critically examines current narratives surrounding just transition and calls for the integration of human rights. It is co-authored by Hasan, Damilola Olawuyi, a professor of law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, Claire Bright, an associate professor at NOVA School of Law in Lisbon, and Samentha Goethals, an assistant professor at SKEMA Business School, a French institution with global presence.
“International and national agencies are promoting a transition toward a low-carbon economy , a process known as the energy transition,” said Hasan, adding that while the goals of the transition are necessary for the environment, many human rights issues are overlooked as a result of the rapid transition towards decarbonization.
“In this issue, we urged governments, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders to consider justice in the energy transition,” he said. “We critically examined what just transition means in extractive industries and the renewable sector. We explored critical issues that need to be addressed, such as human rights, the rights of Indigenous [peoples], and vulnerable groups.”
With diverse experience working in major petroleum countries in the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S., Hasan has a personal and strong connection to his research on energy and environmental regulations, specifically natural resources such as petroleum, which may lose the value with the energy transition in the coming decades. He previously taught business law, commercial law, environmental law and climate change law courses, an experience that intersected his passion for energy with international business practices.
“Coming from a country with vast natural resources and significant challenges in managing them, energy law, with a focus on justice in moving toward a low-carbon economy, has been a passion of mine,” said Hasan. “Investigating how justice will be central to this energy transition as a part of energy policies is critical.”
Hasan is a research scholar at UHLC’s Environment, Energy, and Natural Resource Center (EENR). Currently, he is teaching climate change law at UHLC. The UH Law Center is consistently ranked among the top 10 programs in the nation for its LLM in Energy Law. The program attracts energy experts and legal scholars from across the country to explore a multitude of energy and environmental issues.
“Environmental challenges and climate change issues are at the center of global debate and political discussions within many states,” said Hasan. “In the EENR Center, I have a unique opportunity to work with the top legal minds in the field of energy and environmental law.”
What advice would you give to students pursuing a career in energy law?
QH: Energy law is one of the areas of law that is connected to almost all legal areas. Building foundations in this area will enhance expertise in other areas, such as environmental law, administrative law, and natural resources law. Pursuing energy law in Houston offers a unique opportunity to go beyond theory and gain practical experience in addressing large-scale energy challenges and opportunities at both national and international levels.
What motivated you to delve into this area of research?
QH: This interesting area of research presents a unique opportunity to contribute to diversifying energy resources, enhancing energy security, and supporting broader economic development. It is a fascinating area that I would like to explore profoundly as part of energy regulation and energy justice in the coming years.
What impact do you hope this work will have?
QH: As we proposed in the issues and articles, a just transition should guide us in moving toward a low-carbon economy. We incorporated the five elements of justice into an energy transition, including procedural, distributive, restorative, recognition, and cosmopolitan justice. We hope that all these elements of justice [will] be considered within the broader framework of just transition.
How does being a part of the EENR Center help your research and career?
QH: [The EENR Center] enables me to work with UH Energy and collaborate with various departments at the university level on critical energy and environmental challenges at the state, national, and global levels. In addition to the support from my colleagues at the UHLC, having administrative and library assistants created an excellent research environment for me.
