Esmé Shirlow's current research focuses on dispute settlement and public international law. She currently serves as an assistant to a number of investment treaty tribunals, and has previously also advised parties to investment treaty claims and in proceedings before the International Court of Justice.

Esmé completed her PhD as a Dickson Poon Scholar at King's College London, for which she was awarded the King's Elsevier Outstanding PhD Thesis Prize. She completed her LL.M. at the University of Cambridge, where she was awarded - among other prizes - the BRD Clarke Prize for Best Overall Performance in the LL.M. and the Clive Parry Prize for Best Result in International Law, as well as the Whewell Scholarship in International Law. Esmé completed her LL.B.(Hons) and a B.A. at the Australian National University.

Esmé is admitted as a Solicitor in the Australian Capital Territory and trained as a civil and commercial mediator in England. She is an Assistant Editor (Australia/New Zealand Region) with Kluwer Arbitration Blog, and previously worked in the Australian Government’s Office of International Law.