JRV Prescott Scholarship 2025 Awardee Interview

IBRU welcomed Daniela Martins, currently studying a PhD in the Law of the Sea, to the workshop ‘Finding an equitable Solution in Maritime Boundary Delimitation’ which was held in Durham in September 2025. Daniela was able to attend thanks to the JRV Prescott Scholarship which helps post graduate students attend training to further their careers in the boundary field.

What do you currently do and how does your work relate to international boundaries and border-related issues?

I am a Guest Lecturer in Public International Law and am currently completing a PhD in the Law of the Sea. My dissertation focuses on the impact of sea level rise on maritime delimitation. In particular, I examine how subsequent geographical changes affecting the territory of coastal and island States should be taken into account in light of the principle of equity in the maritime delimitation process.

What Postgraduate course did you study and how will/did this develop your career?

I hold a Law degree and a Master’s in Public International Law. During my Master’s, I focused on the legal personality of States at risk of disappearing due to sea level rise, and I had the opportunity to publish my dissertation on this topic. I then enrolled in a PhD program to continue this research from the perspective of the Law of the Sea, with a particular focus on maritime delimitation. My doctoral research investigates the impact of sea level rise on maritime boundaries.

This IBRU workshop has been particularly valuable for me, as it provided practical insights and technical foundations beyond my strictly legal training. Maritime delimitation is inherently multidisciplinary, requiring knowledge in both legal and technical areas, and this workshop has helped me bridge that gap, giving me the tools to complement my legal expertise with a practical understanding of cartography and spatial analysis.

What made you apply for the Prescott Scholarship Award and how did you feel when you were awarded the Scholarship?

Pursuing a program at Durham has long been both a personal and academic aspiration. The legacy of Victor Prescott, whose writings first inspired me to dedicate my career to maritime delimitation, has been a lasting source of motivation. I saw the Prescott Scholarship as a unique opportunity to further my studies in this field. Moreover, the support provided by the scholarship was crucial in enabling me to attend the workshop.

When I received the email informing me that I had been awarded the Prescott Scholarship, I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. The recognition of my dedication and potential by such a prestigious scholarship committee was truly humbling!

How do you think the IBRU workshop, the course paid for by the Scholarship’ has helped you in both your studies and your future career?

My academic path has always been closely connected to the Law of the Sea. While my training is strictly legal, the Law of the Sea relies heavily on geographical concepts—baselines, coasts, projections, and proportionality—without which legal rules risk being applied abstractly, detached from the realities they are meant to regulate.

Attending the workshop “Finding an Equitable Solution in Maritime Boundary Delimitation” was a pivotal step in my PhD. It allowed me to directly address the gap in my training: learning to read and interpret maps, translate geographical data into legal reasoning, construct equidistant lines in practice, and understand how equitable solutions are developed in real delimitation processes.

This kind of interdisciplinary training is essential for grounding my research in practical reality. Most law courses focus heavily on literature and case law, often neglecting the geographical foundation that underpins legal reasoning. The workshop demonstrated how legal and technical expertise are integrated to reach practical solutions, an insight that is invaluable for both my research and future professional work.

Would you have been able to attend the workshop if the funding from the Prescott Scholarship had not been available and how important was this Scholarship to you?

As a young scholar at the beginning of my career, the Prescott Scholarship was instrumental in enabling my participation in the workshop. It not only facilitated my attendance but also recognized my potential in this specialized field.

It provided access to high-quality training, strengthened my interdisciplinary skills, and validated my dedication to advancing my knowledge in maritime delimitation. I am deeply grateful for the support and recognition provided, which has played a key role in shaping my path toward becoming an expert in this area.

Thank you very much to IBRU and Durham University for this opportunity. I hope I can come back soon! It was a lovely experience!