Gopal Subramanium, international lawyer and academic, has this week opened a new study centre and office in Oxford as he scales up his interdisciplinary research activity in the UK.
Oxford, UK – The Subramanium Study Centre, based at the Prince of Wales International Centre in Oxford, will act as a new international base for Gopal Subramanium's academic work, complementing his existing global offices in New Delhi and London.
Gopal Subramanium, former Solicitor General of India, is a recognised academic expert on democracy, human rights, social inequality, civic education and the applicability of psychology to legal concepts. The new study centre office will be staffed by a small support team as well as researchers who are currently assisting Subramanium with his work into mental health research and the development of a new model written constitution.
The new office will build on Subramanium's existing links to Oxford, having been elevated to a Foundation Fellowship at Somerville College last year.
In 2019, Subramanium endowed the Gopal Subramanium Scholarship at the university to support the postgraduate studies of outstanding students from India. Over the last 12 months, Subramanium has grown his links to the UK and was recently appointed an Ambassador for mental health charity SANE.
Gopal Subramanium said:
"Over the last few years, I have spent more time in Oxford, and I realised that opening an office in the city for my growing UK team was the next natural step. Oxford has many natural advantages over other places in the country.
"On one hand, you have an unrivalled pool of talent on your doorstep, as well as a very creative mix of people. I have always believed that the best work, whether in law or another industry, comes from a powerful blend of ideas.
"On the other, I have found that Oxford has such a powerful brand overseas, especially in India, that it is a natural place to headquarter yourself if you want to look out internationally."
Gopal Subramanium served as Solicitor General of India between 2009 and 2011 and, before that, as Additional Solicitor General of India between 2005 and 2009. In his career, he has acted in numerous cases that have shaped legislative principles on privacy, human rights and freedom of speech internationally.
He successfully defended the conviction of the sole surviving terrorist of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks; acted for petitioners in a historic case that held there is a fundamental constitutional right to privacy in India; and, in 2013, served on the JS Verma Commission, which recommended amendments to Indian laws to safeguard the safety and dignity of women and children.
Gopal Subramanium added:
"Oxford has lots of natural advantages for global academics who are interested in cross-disciplinary research. It is uniquely home to world-class researchers from multiple disciplines.
"Given my research interest is at the interface of law and mental health, it was particularly attractive to see that Oxford has become home to a cluster of some of the most exciting biotech companies in the world."
In 2015, he was appointed a Supplementary Judge at the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Tribunal. In 2020, he became the first Indian Senior Advocate to appear before the Singapore Court of Appeal.
He is a Visiting Professor at the University of New Delhi and an Honorary Adjunct Professor at Jindal Global Law School.