Robert is an international lawyer with more than 25 years of experience working in international organisations on environment and natural resources, science and technology, urban development, human rights and multilateral governance. Currently, he is researching and advising several clients on the role and standing of local governments under international human rights law. He is also researching and giving lectures on the history of international housing policy and the status of land governance and management in international law. For thirteen years, Robert was a senior officer at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), where, among other activities, he led the establishment of a legislation team, coordinated secretariat support in the negotiations to establish the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing and was Chief of the Legislation, Land and Governance Branch and later of the Land, Housing and Shelter Section. Prior to joining the UN, Robert worked with several UN and other international organizations providing in house counsel and policy analysis and advisory services to a number of governments and non-governmental partners in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and South and South East Asia. Robert holds a Juris Doctor in law from the College of William and Mary, a Master of Letters in history from the University of the Highlands and Islands and a Master of Arts in art history from the University of St Andrews.Â