Lawpod

This podcast is the first in a series of episode on Civilian Harm in Conflict - hosted by Mae Thompson, advocacy officer at Ceasefire. The podcast is an output of the AHRC funded 'Reparations during Armed Conflict' project with Queen's University Belfast, University College London and Ceasefire, led by Professor Luke Moffett.Mark Latimer, Executive Director of Ceasefire joins the podcast. Ceasefire have written a number of reports on civilian harm, in particular on the case for the UK to adopt a reparation scheme for overseas military operations and more recently on arbitrary detention in Ukraine.  Professor Fionnuala ní Aólain has written extensively on the issue of counter-terrorism and in one of her final reports as UN Special Rapporteur highlighted the impact of new technologies on civilians.Professor Luke Moffett has called for a harm based approach to reparations in the midst of ongoing hostilities, such as in Ukraine.Our colleagues on the CIVCOM project have

In this episode of LawPod, your host Kenneth Elo sits down with three dynamic second-year law students at Queen’s University Belfast to explore the world of student ambassador programs—what they are, how to land one, and why they’re such a powerful addition to any law student’s journey.Anjana Chengun, Usman Aslam, and Eva Livadaris share their experiences representing organizations like A&O Shearman, Legal Cheek, Legal Business Minds, and Barbri. From promoting legal opportunities on campus to building professional networks on LinkedIn, these ambassadors reveal what it takes to thrive in the role—and how it's shaped their confidence, skills, and future legal careers.Whether you’re a student considering applying, or an employer thinking of launching or improving your own campus program, this episode is full of actionable advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and tips for success.For access to student ambassador opportunities;https://www.oncampuspromotions

This episode of LawPod, hosted by law student Alexandra Morar, marks the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alexandra speaks with Brian Dooley, Senior Advisor at Human Rights First and Honorary Professor at Queen’s, who recently returned from Ukraine. Brian shares his experiences investigating the killing of human rights defender Tigran Galustyan and providing first-hand accounts of the daily realities and human rights work in conflict zones like Kharkiv. He discusses the dangers and challenges faced by local volunteers rescuing civilians from the front lines, the impact of Russian attacks, and the ongoing efforts to document and promote the critical human rights work happening amid the conflict.

In this special International Women's Day episode of LawPod, host Ellie Blair sits down with Aisling Cannon and Shauna McKey, members of the Walkie Talkie Girlies society. Founded in November 2023 at Queen's University, the society aims to improve women's safety by organising group walks, particularly in response to unsettling experiences both women have had. The discussion touches on the origins and inspiring growth of the society to over 500 members, its significant projects like Project Pink, and its collaborative work with government, local businesses and tech companies to ensure member safety. Aisling and Shauna also talk about their future aspirations for the society, potential expansions, and how involvement in this initiative shapes their career goals. They emphasise the need for legislative reform and early education about healthy relationships as fundamental ways to protect women, both on the streets and in their homes.

In this special International Women's Day episode of LawPod, host Katie O'Doherty interviews Olivia Ferran and Jenna Mullan, co-chairs of Queen's University's Women in Law Society. They discuss their society's mission to support female law students through informative events, mentoring programs, and promoting a positive well-being environment. The episode explores the importance of female-based societies, personal motivations for joining, challenges women face in the legal profession, combating imposter syndrome, and the critical role of women in legislating. They also talk about upcoming International Women's Day plans, including a panel discussion and their annual networking event.

In this episode, Dr. Yassin Brunger converses with Dr. Astrid Reisinger-Coracini (University of Vienna) about the challenges and implications surrounding the crime of aggression in international law.Dr. Coracini, a member of the Austrian delegation at the International Criminal Court Assembly of State Parties in 2023, discusses the significant gaps and potential reforms in the legal frameworks governing the crime of aggression, drawing insights from historical contexts and current geopolitical conflicts, particularly the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They explore how the international community addresses such crimes and the essential pathways for justice and accountability.

In this special episode of LawPod, Dr. Yassin Brunger (Queen’s University Belfast) interviews Dr. Priya Pillai, Executive Director of the Asia Justice Coalition, on the challenges and prospects of international criminal justice in Asia. They discuss the anniversary of Myanmar's military offensive against the Rohingya, the role of civil society in seeking justice, and the importance of regional collaboration in addressing mass atrocities. Dr. Pillai emphasizes the need for international treaties on crimes against humanity and the significance of states’ commitment to prevent such crimes. They explore the complexities of achieving justice for survivors and the potential for international institutions to learn from grassroots and regional efforts.

In this episode of LawPod, hosts Kane Miller and Ella Murphy, both law students, interview Northern Ireland Commissioner Johanna Higgins and John Curtis, in-house counsel at the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). They discuss their backgrounds and roles at the CCRC, explaining how the Commission investigates potential miscarriages of justice. Johanna and John elaborate on the CCRC's powers under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995, including obtaining information from public and private entities, and their ability to have cases re-examined by the courts. They highlight specific cases, the application process, challenges faced, and the importance of raising awareness about the CCRC's work, especially among legal professionals, students, and the general public.

In this episode of LawPod, Dr Alice Diver from the School of Law converses with Kyung-eun Lee, director of Human Rights Beyond Borders, about the multifaceted issues surrounding intercountry adoption. They discuss the truth recovery process in Northern Ireland, the historical and ongoing human rights violations associated with adoption practices worldwide, and the evolving landscape of adoptee activism. The conversation underscores the importance of rectifying past injustices, understanding the systemic nature of these abuses, and ensuring that the right to know one's origin is universally recognized. The discussion also touches upon the roles of governments, private agencies, and the broader international community in addressing these deep-rooted issues. Further Reading https://www.amazon.com/Global-Orphan-Adoption-System-Development/dp/8996879878 https://www.theuniversalasian.com/post/books-the-global-orphan-adoption-system-by-dr-kyung-eun-lee https://www.hrbb.org/ https://www.hrbb.org/post/recent-ad

In this episode, Dr. Alessandro Corda and Dr. Elizabeth Agnew sit down with Dr. Clara Rigoni, Maître Assistante at the Faculty of Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration of the University of Lausanne (Switzerland), to discuss her book Honour-Based Violence and Forced Marriages: Community and Restorative Practices in Europe (Routledge). The book explores innovative approaches to addressing honour-based violence and forced marriages through alternative programs, presenting new empirical from case studies from the UK and Norway. Highlighting secular, community-based initiatives and multi-agency models, the conversation delves into how pluralism and the rule of law can be reconciled to improve women's access to justice, reduce secondary victimisation, and ensure more effective responses to these complex issues.

In this episode, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Professor of Law at Queen's University, Belfast, and former UN Special Rapporteur on Counterterrorism and Human Rights, interviews Mansoor Adayfi, a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay. They discuss Mansoor's experiences at Guantanamo, his work as an author and human rights advocate, and his memoir 'Don't Forget Us Here'. Mansoor shares stories about his writings, art, and his campaign to close Guantanamo. The conversation explores themes of resistance, the human spirit, and the ongoing struggles of former detainees. Mansoor emphasises the need for justice, accountability, and the closure of Guantanamo Bay.You can find the discussed images on the LawPod Blog. https://lawpod.org/dont-forget-us-here-an-interview-with-mansoor-adayfi/

In the 2024 Seamus Deane lecture, acclaimed novelist Amitav Ghosh, hosted by Field Day, the Derry Playhouse, and the School of Law, explores themes from his book 'The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis.'Ghosh places colonialism, the ecological, and cultural legacies of the West at the heart of understanding climate change, describing it as humanity's most profound cultural challenge. He intertwines Irish history with the story of the Banda Islands, highlighting the relentless exploitation and the resultant ecological crises, urging for a recognition of non-human agency and the political and moral urgency to address the climate catastrophe.With an Introduction by Stephen Rea. Thanks to Stephen Ray of Field Day, musician Neil Martin, Kevin Murphy of The Playhouse and his producer Gary McCrossan and the University of Notre Dame, Dublin

In this episode, host and PhD candidate, Niharika Salar discusses the challenges of buying concert tickets at face value in the digital age. Joined by PhD researcher Katherine Pittalis from Queen's Law School, the conversation explores ticketing bots, dynamic pricing, and the broader impacts on fans and the music industry. They unpack the types of bots involved, the issues of transparency and enforcement in existing legislation, and explore potential solutions. The episode sheds light on the frustration felt by consumers and the need for technological and regulatory measures to create a fairer ticket purchasing environment.

In this compelling episode, Dr John Taggart from Queen's University Belfast interviews Dr. Shona Minson, a barrister-turned-criminologist, about her research journey and the critical issues at the intersection of law, punishment, and justice. Dr Minson discusses her background, her transition from legal practice to academia, and her ground-breaking research on maternal sentencing and the impact of imprisonment on children. She reflects on the ethical complexities of prison reform and abolition and shares insights from her paper delivered at the Irish North-South Criminology Conference. This episode was recorded during the North South Criminology Conference earlier in the year.

In this episode of LawPod, Dr Lauren Dempster talks with Brenda Mondragón Toledo, a recent PhD graduate from UCC, about her research on gender-based violence, particularly the political myth of state sexual violence in Mexico. The discussion covers historical instances dating back to the 20th century, focusing on major cases like Atenco and their impact on legal precedents. Brenda emphasizes the importance of using feminist approaches in research to recognize and resist systematic sexual violence. The conversation also explores the perception of police in Mexico and touches on international implications and parallels. https://autonomies.org/2021/03/rita-segato-reading-patriarchy/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5AAscy7qbI This episode was recorded during the North South Criminology Conference earlier in the year.

In this episode of LawPod, Dr. Amanda Kramer and Professor Justin Piché discuss Piché's new book (co-authored with Rachel Herzing), 'How to Abolish Prisons: Lessons from the Movement Against Imprisonment.' The book examines the objectives and practices of abolitionist organizers in Canada and the United States, highlighting the tangible successes and challenges of the prison abolition movement. They delve into historical and contemporary reasons for imprisonment, the contradictions within the prison industrial complex, and the societal need to abolish prisons. Piché shares insights from his own activism, including campaigns against prison expansion, and outlines various strategies for achieving decarceral futures. The conversation underscores the importance of organising, building alternatives, and the broader revolutionary project required to dismantle oppressive structures like capitalism and colonialism. https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2212-how-to-abolish-prisons This episode was recorded during

In this episode of LawPod, Dr. Lauren Dempster, alongside colleague Dr. Ethan Shattock, explore the nuances of misinformation law. They begin by distinguishing between misinformation and disinformation based on intent to mislead and discuss the political and academic uses of 'fake news'. Dr. Shattock outlines existing legislation on misinformation, including the UK Online Safety Act and the EU Digital Services Act, and highlights its emerging framework and effectiveness. The episode also explores the human rights implications, particularly the right to freedom of expression and the right to free and fair elections, examining real-world examples and case law that influence the regulation of misinformation. You can find Dr Shattock's articles on his profile page linked above.

In this roundtable podcast, Dr Alice Diver, Dr John Taggart, and Dr Liam Sunner from Queen's University School of Law, engage in a conversation with Mark Higgins, a barrister and head of faculty at BPP Law School. Higgins discusses his career journey, from working at the Bar to entering academia, and the challenges he faced as a blind professional. The discussion also explores his recent paper presented at UNESCO on AI and its implications for privacy and information accessibility. Additionally, Higgins shares his insights into the evolving role of AI in legal education and training, emphasising its limitations and potential uses. The episode offers valuable perspectives on balancing legal theory, practice, and technological advancements, while also touching on Higgins' future interests in medical law, ethics and family law. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:42 Meet the Panelists 02:25 Discussion on AI and Information Accessibility 10:00 AI in Legal Education 15:05 Mark's Career Journey and Challenges 25:35

In this episode, hosts Marian Hill and Mary O'Neill converse with Dr. Martin Reagan, a senior lecturer at Queen's University Belfast School of Law, to explore the intricate relationship between psychology, emotion, and the law.Dr. Reagan discusses his journey from psychology to studying law and highlights how both fields fundamentally involve human behavior. He illustrates the substantive influence of emotion within legal contexts, such as jury reactions and witness testimonies, and advocates for understanding emotional intelligence in legal professionals. The conversation also covers the reliability of eyewitness testimonies, the influence of high-profile cases on public perception, and the potential impact of emotions on judicial behavior. NILQ - Law and Emotions https://nilq.qub.ac.uk/index.php/nilq/issue/view/33

In this special edition of LawPod, hosts Peter Doran and Rosie Cowan interview Declan Lawn, writer of the acclaimed series Blue Lights. Declan shares his career trajectory from journalism to screenwriting, with a focus on his legal studies and their impact on his work. The discussion explores his early life in Northern Ireland, his initial interest in journalism while studying English at Trinity College Dublin, and his shift towards law influenced by his experiences as a journalist. Declan reflects on significant moments in his career, including investigative journalism on subprime mortgages that faced heavy legal pushback and his inspirational transition into screenwriting. The podcast highlights Declan's method of character-driven storytelling, the influence of police work on Blue Lights, and the interdisciplinary collaboration essential in screenwriting. The narrative also touches on his personal motivations, especially the loss of his father, driving his passion and decision to transition from journalis