Dr. Meaghan Beyer – PhD

About

I am a public international lawyer with a strong academic and professional background, specializing in the intersection of international law and global governance. I am skilled in policy analysis, legal research, and capacity-building initiatives, with experience working closely on topics pertinent to the MENA region. I have a proven track record of conceptualizing, planning, and executing projects for diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and international organizations.

Legal Consultant – Permanent Mission of Colombia to the WTO Feb 2025 – Present • Organizing TRIPS Council side events and analyzing the commercial determinants of health in trade and public health policies. Consultant – WHO, MCA May 2024 – Dec 2024 • Co-authored a WHO manual and research article on strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks for maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response. • Updated and refined a toolkit to facilitate multi-stakeholder law and policy dialogues, promoting effective collaboration among diverse stakeholders. • Developed a research methodology for evaluating domestic legal frameworks and their compliance with international treaty obligations. Assistant Professor/Lecturer – University of Groningen Sep 2018 – Feb 2024 • Designed and taught courses on public international law, covering trade, investment, and international health law. • Organized capacity-building workshops and conferences, fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue on global health issues and international legal frameworks. • Conducted legal and policy research, authored analytical materials, and supervised student research projects. Independent Contractor – WHO, MCA Sep 2020 – Dec 2023 • Coordinated and co-authored a comprehensive WHO technical report on crafting national legislation to regulate the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, ensuring alignment with the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, international trade, and investment agreements. • Evaluated the impact of trade and investment agreements on public health policies and barriers to optimal infant feeding, delivering actionable recommendations for legal alignment and strategies to address trade-related challenges effectively.

Independent Contractor – WHO, UHC/CD/NCD Mar – May 2020 • Conducted a systematic literature review on trade and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), analyzing the impact of trade agreements on health outcomes, NCD risk factors, and access to medicines and services. • Prepared a background paper for a meeting of trade and health experts from the SIDS, including a comprehensive network mapping of preferential trade agreements. Consultant – UN, OHCHR, WGEID Jul – Sep 2018 • Led logistical and thematic preparations for the 116th session, including organizing an expert consultation on standards and public policies for investigating enforced disappearances. • Reviewed individual cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances and drafted communications to governments. Intern – WHO, UNIATF Feb – Jul 2018 • Coordinated speakers for global conferences and oversaw the creation of an award recognizing multi-sectoral initiatives addressing NCDs and mental health. • Developed legal course materials for a global program aimed at strengthening regulatory capacity for NCD prevention and authored country summary reports following joint programming missions. Intern – UN, OHCHR, SPB Nov 2017 – Feb 2018 • Worked with various mandates in the Protection, Religion, Accountability, and Human Security Section. • Conducted comprehensive legal research, crafted communications, translated key documents, and developed country assessments.

Ph.D. Public International Law Sep 2018 – Oct 2023 University of Groningen, NL LL.M. Public International Law (cum laude) Sep 2016 – Aug 2017 University of Groningen, NL B.A. International Relations and International Organization Sep 2013 – Jun 2016 University of Groningen, NL B.A. Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures Sep 2010 – Dec 2013 University of Maryland, USA Exchange, Madrid, Spain Sep 2009 – Jun 2010 Suffolk University Madrid: Merit Scholarship High School, IB Diploma Sep 2005 – Jun 2009 Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

English – Native | Spanish – Intermediate | German – Beginner | French – Beginner