Socio-Legal Studies

Callum Laffey

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, Law School, CSSIS

Start 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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, Dr Jacopo Martire

Email: tj19944@bristol.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-francis-macis-81b80014b

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Conor_F_Macis

Donna Crowe-Urbaniak

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC +3)
University of Exeter, Law School

Start 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

Edward Burtonshaw-Gunn

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start date: September 2014

Research topic: A multi-case study of housing models in Bristol, UK: Commercial Housing, Housing Associations, and Community Land Trusts.

Ed is a PhD researcher and Land Law tutor in the Law School. His research is on the housing crisis with specific interest in house building in Bristol, UK. He is particularly interested in planning law, policy, and practice to explain how housing production is shaped in Bristol. For his doctoral research, he spent three months at Bristol City Council – the local planning authority responsible for establishing local planning policies in line with national policies, and for determining planning applications within Bristol. He tweets at @BurtonshawGunn. 

Research supervisors: Professor Antonia Layard, Dr Janine Sargoni

Professional memberships/Positions held: SWDTP Student representative Law School PGR Student Representative Socio-Legal Studies Associations (SLSA) Postgraduate Member Professional memberships/Positions held: Associate Fellow, Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) Socio-Legal Studies Associations (SLSA) Postgraduate Member

Email: e.burtonshaw-gunn@bristol.ac.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BurtonshawGunn

Hannah Ahmed

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC +3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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 solicitor

Email: 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC +3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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

Lara Farrell

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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

Louise Austin

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start date: September 2015

Research topic: Judging Informed Consent

My PhD is titled ‘Judging Informed Consent’ and focuses on the interaction between ethics, law and regulation of informed consent to medical treatment.  In particular, it looks at ethical conceptions of autonomy and the extent to which they feature in legal and regulatory decisions on consent.

Research supervisors: Dr Oliver Quick, Professor Richard Huxtable

Professional memberships/Positions held: Associate Teacher, Medical Law Member of Institute of Medical Ethics Postgraduate Committee SWDTP student representative

Email: louise.austin@bristol.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/louise-austin-75bb8329

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louise_austin12

Louise Hatherall

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start date: September 2015

Research topic: Genetic Patents in Intellectual Property Law

My research interests centre on IP Law and the way it is applied to biotechnological and genetic patents. There is an argument that Patent Law is currently being used as a ‘sword rather than a shield’ enabling companies and inventors to stifle and prevent access to inventions. This has resulted in stagnating innovation impacting both patients access to such innovations, along with increasing litigation time and cost. This research aims to address this balance and consider the impact of granting these patents on innovative research, access to inventions, the aggressive litigation tactics currently employed and considers the future for IP Law.

Research supervisors: Andrew Charlesworth

Professional memberships/Positions held: SLSA Student Conference 2017 Committee Chair

Email: lh15390.2015@my.bristol.ac.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwitTooLou

Maria Wright

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International Studies

Start 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International Studies

Start 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

Richard Costidell

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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

Sophie Chester-Glyn

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International Studies

Start 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, Law

Start 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

Yentyl Katoucha Williams

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, Law School

Start 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

PhD Researcher in Socio-Legal Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, School of Law

Start date: September 2012

Research topic: Religious and constitutional law in England.

Research supervisors: Professor Anthony Musson

Email: zc243@exeter.ac.uk