Professor Pagedar’s research and advocacy focus on the legal frameworks that shape women's lives, particularly through the lens of judicial discourse. Her current work critically examines how Indian court decisions on marital rape (2010–2024) employ gendered language and reinforce sociocultural assumptions about marriage. This analysis is part of a broader inquiry into how law—rather than serving as a neutral arbiter—can often be shaped by deeply ingrained gender biases.
Her scholarship reflects a critical truth: the language of the law matters. Judicial decisions are more than legal determinations; they carry implicit narratives about identity, power, and rights. By dissecting these narratives, Professor Pagedar’s work challenges the status quo and opens pathways for more equitable legal reasoning.
“As a visiting professor at the Faculty of Law, I hope to learn extensively from the rich and diverse expertise of the faculty while moving forward with my current research on women's rights and judicial discourse analysis,” she says. “I am also looking forward to immersing myself in research exclusively, which is a rare opportunity for teaching academics. The Faculty of Law has been immensely welcoming, and I have already started to form great connections which I hope to transform into fruitful academic collaborations during my stay and continue as friendships after the conclusion of my visit.”
In addition to her academic work, Professor Pagedar has been engaged in human rights advocacy on a global scale. She has worked with Perseus Strategies, a human rights law firm in Washington, D.C., where she contributed to reports exposing political imprisonment and human rights abuses. She has also researched the corporate control of water resources, trafficking laws in Myanmar, and Indigenous rights to water in India—topics that highlight the intersection of gender, socioeconomics, and justice.
A distinguished scholar and advocate, Professor Pagedar holds an LL.M. from Northeastern University School of Law (NUSL) with a focus on human rights and health law. She is also the faculty coordinator for GirlUp-JGU, a movement dedicated to empowering young women.
A Legacy of Feminist Legal Advocacy
Professor Pagedar’s appointment aligns with the mission of the Shirley E. Greenberg Chair for Women and the Legal Profession, which strengthens feminist perspectives in law through research, teaching, and outreach. Established through the generous support of Shirley E. Greenberg (LL.B. 1976), the Chair fosters meaningful connections between women in law school and the profession while advocating for legal reform on issues that disproportionately impact women.
As she takes on this new role, Professor Pagedar will contribute to the Faculty’s ongoing commitment to gender equity, engaging with students, scholars, and practitioners to challenge and reshape the legal narratives that define women’s rights.