Callum Laffey
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, Law School, CSSISStart date: October 2019
Research topic: How revolutionary new technologies, automating and simplifying the shipping process, will fit into shipping’s ancient legal and regulatory regime?
I will look at the legal and regulatory hurdles, both nationally and internationally, which must be overcome for autonomous shipping and similar technologies to be incorporated into our legal and regulatory regime.This research will be, I believe, the first in-depth project which will look at the issue from both a public and private law perspective.
Research supervisors: Dr Kyriaki Nousia
Email: cl719@exeter.ac.uk
Christopher Gray
Socio-Legal Studies, Student Rep
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: September 2017
Research topic: The Privilege against Self-Incrimination in Criminal Justice in the United Kingdom and The Gambia – Human Rights Law and Convergence
I will be researching the protection offered by the right to fair trial to the privilege against self-incrimination in juvenile criminal justice. By focusing on the United Kingdom and The Gambia as case studies, domestic rules on admission of evidence will be considered in the context of human rights standards both internationally and in their respective regions. As well incorporating empirical research on how these standards are realised, this research will focus on the implications of the findings in light of the ‘convergence thesis’, and focus specifically on the role of human rights law in this.Research supervisors: Professor Rachel Murray, Dr Jennifer Collins
Professional memberships/Positions held:
SWDTP Student Rep;Human Rights Implementation Centre at the University of Bristol
Email: cg15586@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cfgray/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cf_gray
Conor Francis Macis
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: October 2020
Research topic: A Gramscian Analysis of Global Health Law to Ensure Justice in Responding to Antimicrobial Resistance
My research is principally centred around Marxist legal philosophy, global health law, and the conceptualisation and achievement of global health justice. Law is not neutral; global health law is certain to adopt a particular philosophical framing, which means law can be harmful and/or beneficial for justice. By way of the development and subsequent deployment of a Gramscian critical lens, my research will analyse the capitalistic legal structures and legal responses to the profound global health crisis of antimicrobial resistance considering, at its forefront, the pursuit of global health justice.Research supervisors: Professor Keith Syrett, Professor Terrell Carver, Dr Jacopo Martire
Email: conor.f.macis@bristol.ac.uk’
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-francis-macis-81b80014b
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Conor_F_Macis
Courtney Jones
Socio-Legal Studies
1+3
University of Exeter, School of LawStart date: September 2023
Research topic: Criminalising AI-generated pornography
The object of this research is to take a comparative and feminist approach to analyse and understand the extent to which the laws criminalizing non-consensual pornography are sufficient to prevent the victimization of women through the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven nudifying tools.Research supervisors: Prof. Anne Barlow, Prof. Dana Wilson-Kovacs
Email: cdj203@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-d-jones/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CourtneyDJones
Donna Crowe-Urbaniak
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC +3)
University of Exeter, Law SchoolStart date: September 2017
Research topic: Vulnerability, autonomy, power, and resilience: a socio-legal examination of the issues faced by military wives post-LASPO.
My research aims to explore the experiences of women previously married to serving members of the Armed Forces by exploring issues of vulnerability, resilience, power, and autonomy, and examine ways in which current family law practices adequately meets the needs of this group.Research supervisors: Professor Liz Trinder, Professor Anne Barlow
Email: dlc218@exeter.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonnaCroweUrb
Hannah Ahmed
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: September 2016
Research topic: The role of faith in procedural justice: offending and desistance
Research supervisors: Professor Julian Rivers, Professor Antonia Layard
Email: ha13737@my.bristol.ac.uk
Hannah Perry
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC +3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: September 2017
Research topic: Emotional readiness to negotiate in family law proceedings
Emotional readiness to negotiate has been recognised as an important factor in parties’ ability to settle without using contested litigation. I am researching the emotional support given by solicitors to their clients to find out what non-legal support is currently available, and also what sorts of emotional support clients find helpful.Research supervisors: Dr Emma Hitchings, Professor Morag McDermont
Professional memberships/Positions held:
Practising family solicitorEmail: hp15566@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahperry/
Website/Blog: https://www.harbourfamilylaw.co.uk/our-team/hannah-perry-ba-msc/
Helen Thomas
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC +3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: September 2014
Research topic: Mobilising Marginalised Women’s Dissenting Voices: Co-Producing New Possibilities
Research supervisors: Professor Morag McDermont , Dr Therese O'Toole
Email: h.thomas@bristol.ac.uk
Ksenia Lavrenteva
Socio-Legal Studies
Socio-Legal Studies 1+3
University of Exeter, School of LawStart date: September 2023
Research topic: Access to digital cultural heritage as a human right
The mass digitisation of cultural heritage is perceived as both beneficial and democratising due to improving public access through online collections. However, it poses various questions from the public’s inability to freely share and use digital objects to ownership of the information and rights to govern access. Moreover, the process of digitization itself must be questioned as a process which can reproduce inequitable systems of representation and control.The research will investigate these questions through a human rights lens and provide the legal and practical background necessary to support new regulatory tools for more flexible, ethical and inclusive access.
Research supervisors: Dr Andrea Wallace & Professor Nicola Thomas
Email: kl633@exeter.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ksenia_Salih
Lara Farrell
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: September 2017
Research topic: Modern Slavery; A Community Research Perspective
I am currently undertaking the MSc Socio-Legal Studies and will be commencing PhD research in September 2018. My research will focus on modern slavery in the UK and the current difficulties in defining and measuring it, and will consider the merits of community research as a means of addressing this issue.Research supervisors: Devyani Prabhat
Email: lf17685@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lara-farrell-978452a1
Maggie Fannon
Socio-Legal Studies
Socio-Legal Research +3
University of Bristol, University of Bristol Law SchoolStart date: September 2021
Research topic: Sex work, Decent Work, and Marxist-feminist theory
My research aims to explore sex work as potentially decent work and, through the lens of Marxist-feminist theory, to consider the possibilities and limitations of using labour law to achieve this. I place sex workers’ calls for labour rights in the context of a so-called ‘crisis’ of labour law, as an increasing body of non-standard workers labour outside the scope of the law’s protection. I suggest that the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda may offer an alternative to traditional labour law that has the power to improve sex workers’ material conditions. By learning from sex workers and activists through empirical research, I hope to consider the extent to which a Decent Sex Work framework could affect the changes that workers in the UK sex industry want to see, whilst engaging with the limitations imposed upon the legal form by the social context of gendered and racialised capitalism.Research supervisors: Dr Katie Cruz, Dr Joanne Conaghan
Email: ov21431@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-fannon-b90024170
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maggiefannon
Maria Wright
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: September 2016
Research topic: International child protection cases in practice
Courts and Local Authorities in England and Wales are increasingly dealing with child protection cases with an international element. Issues will come in to play about the assessment of potential carers abroad, international co-operation between Local Authorities and the appropriate legal outcome for children. Tensions have arisen particularly in circumstances where children with international familial connections have been adopted in this country. My research seeks to examine how Courts and Local Authorities are working with children in international child protection cases, what challenges they face and how their practices could be modified to work more effectively in an international context.Research supervisors: Professor Judith Masson, Dr Emma Hitchings
Email: mw3140@my.bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-wright-08184422/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mw_sofia
Mollie Gascoigne
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: October 2018
Research topic: The Gender Recognition & Reform Project
My research project is an empirical, mixed methods study into the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and possible options for reform. My research is undertaken in the context of increasing gender diversity and is particularly interested in examining how non-binary people perceive and experience the world with regard to the current legal provisions. As a result of the recent public consultation on the GRA 2004, my research has a reform agenda and intends to produce policy-orientated answers to the current questions surrounding reform of legal gender recognition.Research supervisors: Dr Stephen Skinner, Dr Charlotte Bishop
Email: mg440@exeter.ac.uk
Natalie Olszowy
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: October 2019
Research topic: Reassessment of the Illegal Movement of Antiquities: Exposing Regulatory Gaps Posed by the Development of Social Media and Blockchain
My research explores how technological advancements influence the illegal movement of cultural artefacts on the market for antiquities. It concentrates on the chain of sale as altered by the development of social media supported by blockchain technology. The research will identify regulatory gaps and shortcomings within international and domestic legislation preventing transnational cooperation of enforcement bodies and other parties involved.Research supervisors: Dr Agnieszka Jachec - Neale, Professor Sarah Green, Professor Gabriella Giannachi
Email: no257@exeter.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatalieOlszowy
Patricia Blardony Miranda
Socio-Legal Studies
ESRC 1+3
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: October 2022
Research topic: The Right to Health and Mental Health Law and Policy in England: The Lived Experiences of Filipino Migrant Women
In this research, I explore the synergies and tensions between Article 25 (right to health) of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and mental health laws and policies in England, with specific focus on the lived experiences of Filipino migrant women as a case study. My research combines doctrinal and reform-oriented critical methods with qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The research design aims to capture the personal and subjective dimensions of Filipino migrant women’s experiences and how these are shaped by broader socio-legal factors. This potentially contributes to more nuanced perspectives that situate personal stories and the subjective dimensions of individual experiences within the social phenomena of law, which may assist future migrant health-related policy and legislation.Research supervisors: Prof. Judy Laing, Prof. John Coggon
Professional memberships/Positions held:
1. Practicing attorney in the Philippines 2. Bristol Institute for Learning and Teaching Student Fellow for Embedding Wellbeing and Belonging in the Curriculum (2022/2023)Email: patricia.miranda@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciabmiranda/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pa3ciamiranda
Website/Blog: https://linktr.ee/pattymiranda
Puja
Socio-Legal Studies
1+3
University of Bristol 18/09/2023Start date: 18/09/2023
Research topic: Climate Justice, democratic forest governance and the rights of Adivasis in India
My research will make the case for embedding Adivasi epistemologies to achieve climate justice in India. Adivasis are the indigenous communities of India that are dependent on forests and play a critical role in the protection of forests and biodiversity. My research will examine to what extent the existing structures of exploitation and dispossession of Adivasis from their land and forests are reproduced by climate laws and policies in India. My research will argue that climate justice in the Adivasi context can be legally and politically attained only when it is understood along with democratic forest governanceResearch supervisors: Professor Margherita Pieraccini, Dr. Karen Tucker
Email: gc23520@bristol.ac.uk
Rhianna Dorrian
Socio-Legal Studies
University of Bristol, School of LawStart date: September 2024
Research topic: The Criminal Liability of Domestic Abuse-Induced Suicide: The Expansion of Unlawful Act Manslaughter Versus the Creation of a New Context Specific Offence
I completed my LLB and LLM in International and Comparative Law at Trinity College Dublin where I wrote my LLM thesis on the criminal liability of domestic abuse-induced suicide. This research was incredibly meaningful to me and inspired my choice to pursue a PhD in criminal law at the University of Bristol, focused on creating a new offence specifically designed to address domestic abuse-induced suicide. My research interests centre on gender and law, particularly through intersectional feminist perspectives. I’m also the founder of Misneach Advocacy, a non-profit working to prevent grooming and abuse through consent workshops and legal reform.Research supervisors: Dr Jennifer Collins , Dr Joanne Conaghan
Email: rhianna.dorrian@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhianna-dorrian-000043148/
Website/Blog: https://www.misneachadvocacy.org
Richard Costidell
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: September 2014
Research topic: The Prosecution of Crimes of Torture in the African Charter System as a Human Right: Towards obligation?
In this research I will be conducting an investigation into the importance of realising the obligation to prosecute crimes of torture through the African Charter System. I will show that, although certain elements of the obligation to prosecute crimes of torture are currently found within Africa, the obligation to prosecute is not as clearly grounded as it should be. In doing so I will aim to show the significance of further developing the obligation to prosecute crimes of torture regionally as a human right and its importance for ensuring the prosecution of such crimes throughout the region.Research supervisors: Professor Rachel Murray, Professor Sir Malcolm Evans
Email: rc12423@my.bristol.ac.uk
Robert Lloyd
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: October 2019
Research topic: An analysis of charity service provision for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children in care of the British state
A socio-legal analysis of cross-sector provision of societal care for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children which investigates the methods of association between public and charity sector actors.The aim of my research is to understand how care provision for UASC is performed in the UK with regard to charity provision of projects and service which aid a child’s developmental needs, as well as their individual understanding of their asylum process.
Research supervisors: Professor Morag McDermont, Dr Katie Bales
Email: mz19418@bristol.ac.uk
Saba Mokhtari
Socio-Legal Studies
4 years and 6 months
University of Exeter, Law SchoolStart date: October 2024
Research topic: Striking a Balance: Navigating Streamlined Environmental Impact Assessment and Public Participation in Offshore Renewable Energy Development
My research is about finding a balance between accelerating the consenting process for offshore renewable energy projects, driven by climate concerns, and preserving public participation rights in environmental impact assessment procedures. Given the crucial role of public participation in ensuring the democratic legitimacy of decisions and energy justice, I intend to explore methods for harmonizing streamlined procedures with stakeholder engagement. Drawing on my research background in examining regulatory structures to address and mitigate environmental concerns of wind energy development across different jurisdictions, I was guided to this topic to seek effective solutions facilitating both rapid development and meaningful public involvement.Research supervisors: Doctor Cathrine Caine , Professor Margherita Pieraccini
Email: sm1559@exeter.ac.uk
Saskia Hardcastle
Socio-Legal Studies
Socio-Legal Studies 1+3
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: September 2021
Research topic: Human dignity and migrants' human rights protection
My research explores the value that the legal concept of human dignity contributes to migrants’ human rights protection. This research uses comparative and empirical research methods to examine how
beneficial human dignity can be in a migration context and how dignity can be used by legal practitioners in the UK.Research supervisors: Dr Catherine Dupré, Dr Helena Wray
Email: s.hardcastle2@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saskiahardcastle
Siân Pearce
Socio-Legal Studies
ESRC +3
University of Exeter, HASSStart date: September 2022
Research topic: Considering the lawyer/client relationship between children claimin asylum in their own right and those who represent them.
Taking a legal anthropology approach, I will be considering how the relationship between children who are claiming asylum in their own right and those who represent them. This relationship will be viewed through the lens of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The position of children in the asylum system will also be compared to children in other legal proceedings in England and Wales, such as Family or Criminal proceedings.Research supervisors: Helena Wray, Nick Gill
Email: sp920@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-pearce-21224723/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LegallyShort
Website/Blog: https://www.MxSianP@mstdn.social/explore
Sophie Chester-Glyn
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: September 2018
Research topic: Facilitating UNCRPD compliance through person-centred care planning and improved regulation
Research supervisors: Prof John Coggon, Dr Judy Laing
Email: tf18081@bristol.ac.uk
Suzi Rockey
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: October 2020
Research topic: The Vulnerable Criminal Defence
My research is looking into why the criminal defence profession, especially in Southwest England is not an appealing career choice to those under 35 and how this may impact on a defendants access to justice in the future.Research supervisors: Dr Rebecca Helm, Dr Rachel Fenton
Email: ser215@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/suzi-rockey-aa4320a5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuziRockey
Tania Barton
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, LawStart date: September 2016
Research topic: Considering the position of the dementia patient in commercial transactions
My research aims to look at what challenges are faced by people with dementia in their dealings with commercial counterparts, and what advice and help is available to them. I am also interested in exploring how, if at all, commercial counterparts take these challenges into account in their commercial interactions with people with dementia. Part of that means looking at the dementia guidelines that a number of businesses have signed up to, to examine if these are effective in ensuring that these interactions are conducted in line with agreed rules.Research supervisors: Dr Severine Saintier, Dr Iain Lang
Email: tb369@exeter.ac.uk
Thomas Carr
Socio-Legal Studies
ESRC 1+3
University of Bristol, Social Sciences and Law SchoolStart date: October 2022
Research topic: Corporate human rights due diligence law and the right to freedom of association.
My research will explore the potential of human rights due diligence laws in Europe promote access to freedom of association and collective bargaining in global fashion supply chains. Its main focus will be on the of EU’s proposed Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence.Research supervisors: Dr Manoj Dias-Abey, Dr Roseanne Russell
Yentyl Katoucha Williams
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law SchoolStart date: September 2018
Research topic: The EU and Innovation in International Trade: A case study of the Intellectual Property (IP) provisions on Geographical Indications (GI) in the EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
Research supervisors: Dr Clair Gammage, Prof. Aurora Plomer
Email: rb18678@bristol.ac.uk
Zoe Cunningham
Socio-Legal Studies
PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, School of LawStart date: September 2012
Research topic: Religious and constitutional law in England.
Research supervisors: Professor Anthony Musson
Email: zc243@exeter.ac.uk