Lawpod

In this engaging episode, we delve into the lives of international law students at Queen's University Belfast. Hosted by Anjana and Tarra, social media assistants at the Law School, the episode features insightful conversations with Eleanor and Shay. They share their personal journeys, from choosing Queen's University for its prestigious law program to adapting to life in Belfast.They discuss the academic rigour, the vibrant student life, the comprehensive support systems available for international students, and the myriad opportunities for personal and professional growth. From navigating the visa process and settling into new accommodations to engaging with clubs and societies and finding their footing in the academic world, their stories are a testament to the enriching experience Queen's University offers to its international community.Whether you're considering studying abroad or just curious about the international student lifestyle, this episode provides valuable perspectives and tips for future

In this thought-provoking episode of LawPod, Natalia Barbosa and Anshul Bajaj delve into the transformative role of generative AI in law and technology. Joined by Ed Sohn and Nimal Hemelge from Factor Law, they discuss the potential revolutionary effects that Generative AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT and other LLM's (Large Language Models) are going to have in legal practice. The conversation highlights the challenges and ethical considerations of AI integration, its disruptive potential in legal careers, and the hopeful future it heralds for legal work amidst technological advancement. An enlightening discussion offering insights into the dynamic interface of law and technology, imbued with a sense of optimism for the future. Biographies Edward Sohn, Global Head of Insights and Innovation and a member of the Executive Leadership at Factor.  Ed is a  prominent thought leader in the legal services innovation space and an attorney and computer scientist by training.  As well as many years in practice, Ed has l

Holocaust Memorial Day 2024: Fragility of Freedom and the continued importance of memorialisation. Join Evie Cawte in conversation with Belfast's Jewish Society President Rheannon Platman to discuss Holocaust memorialisation, the fragility of freedom and why it is an important date to commemorate both in and outside the impacted communities. https://home.q-su.org/clubssocieties/jewish/

In this episode, join Áine McKenna in an insightful interview with Professor Aoife O’Donoghue on her remarkable career in the field of law. Aoife delves into her unconventional path into law and, eventually, her esteemed role as a Professor. The interview unfolds with a sweeping overview of Aoife’s diverse research interests, specifically Brexit and its implications on Northern Ireland, feminist international law and the tyranny. Aoife reflects upon her involvement in significant projects: co-authoring ‘Bordering Two Unions: Northern Ireland and Brexit’(https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/bordering-two-unions), the ‘Northern/Irish Feminist Judgments Project’ (https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/northern--irish-feminist-judgments-9781509908936/), her role as the feminist judge on the case of McGimpsey v Ireland [1990] IR 110, and as co-director of the Northern/Ireland Feminist Constitutions Project (http://www.feministconstitutions.com/index.php). The episode concludes with Aoife sharing her plans for future res

In this episode, Prof Anne-Marie McAlinden (Queen’s University Belfast), Dr Marie Keenan (University College Dublin), and Dr James Gallen (Dublin City University) discuss their ongoing research project, Transforming Justice: An All-Island Examination of Justice Responses to Historical/Non-recent Institutional Abuses. They speak to interviewer Dr Lauren Dempster (Queen’s University Belfast) about the background to this project and their methods and share their reflections on conducting research in this area. Prof McAlinden, Dr Keenan and Dr Gallen explore the justice responses that we have seen so far in the context of historical/non-recent institutional abuse on the island of Ireland, North and South, and provide an update on what is currently happening in terms of responding to institutional abuse. You can learn more about the project at https://transformingjusticeproject.org/ and read the team’s 2023 report, Non-recent Institutional Abuses and Inquiries: Truth, Acknowledgement, Accountability and Proc

We take our right to citizenship for granted, as an inalienable right, but is it? This episode focuses on the complex interplay between citizenship, human rights, and state powers in a post-9/11 world. The conversation features insights from Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms While Countering Terrorism) and Mohammed Tasnime Akunjee, who bring their extensive experience in human rights law and terrorism-related legal defense, respectively. Key topics include the evolution of citizenship concepts, challenges in maintaining human rights in the face of terrorism, and the impact of legal and ethical dilemmas in this context. The discussion also explores specific cases such as the Shamima Begum case and the broader implications for society and law. Hosted by Dr. Yasmin Brunger, the episode offers a deep dive into critical contemporary issues in legal and human rights domains.

This episode features a roundtable discussion with five Student Skills Assistants from the Law School, focusing on their top tips from last year's work with students. They share their collective thoughts on the importance of effective time management, critical thinking, confidence in one’s opinions, utilisation of available resources, and continuous learning. Each Skills Assistant's tips provide valuable insights into tackling common challenges faced by law students. Thanks to Gary, Mary-Jane, Ogaku, Aoife and Peter.

In the first in our Neurodivergence and the Law mini-series, Sarah McMahon and Dr Lauren Dempster interview Naomi Maxwell and Dr Amanda Kramer about their research on autism and policing in Northern Ireland. In the UK, more than one in 100 people are on the autism spectrum (National Autistic Society 2023). However, research shows that police can misunderstand or misinterpret the behaviour of autistic individuals, leading to suspicion, inappropriate responses, and rights violations. In this episode, Naomi and Amanda discuss the relationship between policing and autism, the methodology and findings of Naomi’s LLM Dissertation research on autism training in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and the changes they would like to see in policy and practice.   Further reading Naomi Maxwell and Amanda Kramer (forthcoming) ‘Forgotten, Outdated and Absent: PSNI Officer’s Training, Experiences, and Confidence with Autism,’ Policing and Society https://www.autismni.org/ Crane et al. 2016 'Experiences of auti

In this episode, Professor Aoife O’Donoghue (QUB School of Law) and Dr Ruth Houghton (Newcastle University Law School) interview poet Julie Morrissy about Julie’s career as a poet. They explore how law influences and resonates in Julie’s poetry, the way that legal training shapes thinking and writing, and the notion of law as a performance. Aoife, Julie and Ruth also discuss the writing and language of constitutions and manifestos, with particular focus on women’s voices and the Irish feminist tradition. Biographies Julie Morrissy is an Irish poet, academic, activist, and a graduate of UCD Law. From 2021-22, she was the first Poet-in-Residence at the National Library of Ireland. Her award-winning project "Certain Individual Women" uses poetry to examine gender discrimination in Irish legislation and the Bunreacht (the 1937 Constitution). Her awards include the National Endowment for the Humanities, the MAKE Theatre Award, and the Arts Council of Ireland ‘Next Generation’ Award. Morrissy's poetry has been ex

In this episode, QUB School of Law PhD student Tamara Tamimi speaks about her research on international law and perceptions of justice in Palestine with Dr Alice Panepinto. Tamara shares what she has found in her research so far and how perceptions of justice might be shaped by the current violence in Palestine. Alice and Tamara discuss the historical context of the occupation of and settler colonialism in Palestine, the relationship between international law and armed violence in the region, and what the ways forward are from here. Resources Tamara Tamimi, Ahmad Amara, Osama Risheq, Munir Nuseibah, Alice Panepinto, Brendan Browne, and Triestino Marinello “(Mis)using Legal Pluralism in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to Advance Dispossession of Palestinians: Israeli Policies against Palestinian Bedouins in the Eastern Jerusalem Periphery” in Noorhaidi Hasan and Irene Schneider (eds) in International Law between Translation and Pluralism: Examples from Germany, Palestine and Indonesia Edward Said, Th

In this podcast, Dr Claire Wright talks with Dr Stefano Angeleri about his experience of conducting research on health rights for migrant populations. They discuss Angeleri’s motivation as a PhD and postdoc researcher, the findings of the book 'Irregular Migrants and the Right to Health,' https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/irregular-migrants-and-the-right-to-health/BF98CA548D0F08125CCAC39CE958309C and the partial outcomes, anecdotes, and stories related to his current project in Colombia, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 101032116—HEAVEN. Overall, Dr. Angeleri argues that partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations are essential to address the health needs of marginalised groups. However, stable solutions for protecting the right to health should begin with the inclusion of irregular migrants in institutional preventive and primary care services. Biography Dr Stefano Angeleri is an EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curi

Dr Conor McCormick is in discussion with Dearbhla Minogue, a lawyer from the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), about an exciting new clinical collaboration between GLAN and the School of Law at Queen's. They map out some of GLAN’s work in holding powerful actors to account through litigation, in addition to their collaboration with the digital investigators at Bellingcat. This new project will enable a group of graduate students to learn how social media evidence is gathered and analysed for the purposes of war crimes accountability – and their work will be plugged in to GLAN’s ongoing cases. Resources GLAN/Bellingcat Methodology Mock Admissibility Hearing with HHJ Joanna Korner KC Open Source Evidence and the Laws of War Reports Bellingcat’s Website – Sample geolocation and beginners’ guide to geolocation Google Earth Pro Youtube account of Benjamin Strick

Dr Louise Rhodes talks to MLaw graduates Tamara Duncan and Lisa McKeown about their experiences of studying while parenting. The conversation tracks their experience, along with the hosts own experience. They map out the particular socio-economic, physical and psychological issues that manifest whilst being a mother and studying for a law degree. Rounding off with advice to current and up and coming students with child care responsibilities, on how to navigate their way through their law degree whilst juggling the other tasks that go along with parenting. Masters in Law Programme

In this episode, Dr Bróna McNeill and Dr Ciara Brennan (Director of the Environmental Justice Network Ireland) discuss their recent report: Lough Neagh’s Future Ownership: Legal and Policy Considerations, which was developed in response to the ecological crisis that has unfolded at the lough over Summer 2023. The conversation takes a deeper dive into some of the issues raised in the report and considers: who currently owns Lough Neagh and the ecological implications of private ownership in this context; whether public ownership might help improve conditions at the lough; and whether ‘Rights of Nature’ can be considered a viable option for securing a more sustainable future for the lough. The discussion also considers the broader context of all of these issues: the catastrophic failure of environmental governance in this jurisdiction, and the pressing cross-border implications of a continued failure to effectively enforce environmental regulations. The report is available here. Find out more about EJNI here.

In this wide ranging discussion, the School of Law's Dr Peter Doran, meets Nigerian scholar, writer and philosopher, Dr Báyò Akómoláfé. The context is Dr Doran's upcoming report for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (Ireland) on the role of the artist in advancing the wellbeing economy, and the topics covered include 'postactivism', decoloniality and modernity. Báyo has recently taken up the position of Ambassador for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance worldwide, and is founder of The Emergence Network. "The task for today's activist," comments Dr Doran, "is to 'stay with the trouble' and avoid reaching for illusory solutions framed by the logics and power configurations that have brought us to the brink. In Báyò's words, 'times are urgent, it is time to slow down.' " Join us for a profound exploration with Báyo, delving into the depths of colonisation, perception, and art. Unpack the power of "ontological mutiny" and discover how getting "lost" can be our path to freedom. Dive deep, challenge norms, and reshape

In this episode, Prof Luke Moffett and Dr Kevin Hearty talk with Victims' Commissioner Ian Jeffers and Dr Cheryl Lawther about their recent report on More than a Number: Reparations for those Bereaved during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The report based on interviews with victims and archival work found that compensation during the early years of the Troubles, where half of all deaths occurred, was inadequate and not fit for purpose. Some victims who were killed in the same incident saw large discrepancies with one being paid £50 and another £15,000, even in the same family, in one case where two brothers were killed, their family received £5,000 for one of them and £112 for the other. Women were also discriminated against and make up most of the lowest awards, despite making up only 10% of those killed. In the podcast we discuss the findings and next steps to establish a bereavement payment scheme. The full report and presentations from the launch can be found here: https://reparations.qub.ac.uk/new-r

In this episode, LawPod’s Law and Society team participant Aoibhinn Graham interviews Kevin Doherty, the Union Services Officer for the Northern Ireland branch of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The conversation focuses on the content and impact of the new Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) legislation on the function trade unions and the right to strike in Britain, as well as how this may affect the trade union movement in Northern Ireland. Key challenges facing trade unions are highlighted, including a flurry of anti-union legislation and the media’s often biased portrayal of unions and industrial action. The discussion also features a broader analysis of the impact of such legislation on democracy and devolution in the UK. For more information on ICTU’s work, visit https://www.ictu.ie/ and https://www.ictuni.org/For more details about the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) legislation, see https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3396

Welcome to the second episode of our symposium podcast series, recorded on the final day of the event. In this slightly extended conversation, Dr Alice Diver is joined by Frances Latchford from York University in Toronto, Boon Young Han, co-founder of KAARN and a scholar at the National University in Seoul, and John McLeod from the University of Leeds.This discussion delves into the complex issue of original identity, exploring its significance and pondering how we might redefine or understand it in our rapidly changing world. We'll also examine the human right to identity, questioning if such a concept truly exists, especially in the context of new reproductive technologies and varying familial structures.Additionally, we'll touch on the ongoing work of the Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission, looking ahead to the significance of its findings, which are expected to be released in 2024 or 2025. Join us as we navigate these intricate topics, seeking insights and understanding from our esteemed guests.Re

In this episode of Lawpod, recorded on the first day of the 'Avoiding Origin Deprivation and Genetic Identity Losses: a 4-day Interdisciplinary Symposium on Adoption and Kinship Rights', host and conference organiser Dr. Alice Diver leads a discussion with KAARN founders Nikolaj Jang Lee Linding Pedersen from the Veritas Research Centre, Yonsei University, Seoul, and Ryan Gustafsson of the University of Melbourne. Joining them is Tobias Hübinette, a scholar in Critical Adoption Studies from Karlstad University, Sweden. The conversation centers around their research and personal ties to adoption. They discuss several important topics, including the right to original identity, the role of adoptee activism, and the implications of alternative life scenarios. The panel also contemplates the concept of 'what might have been' and examines the narratives that often surround transnational adoption. The sense of 'ghostliness' and the sometimes haunting aspects of searches for natal origin are also addressed. It's a

This episode of Lawpod features Professor Aoife O'Donoghue from QUB School of Law and Dr Meabh Harding from UCD Sutherland School of Law, discussing their burgeoning initiative, 'Doing Feminist Legal Work'. They share their plans for the future of the project, aiming to establish a multi-disciplinary network that reaches across Ireland and the UK. This network will involve academics, PhD students, artists, activists, practitioners, and members of civil society, all working together to delve into the extensive and vital field of feminist legal work. Doing Feminist Legal Work (DFLW) is a new network of Feminist Legal Scholars funded by the Irish Research Council of Ireland under the New Foundations Shared Island scheme. DFLW connects legal scholars across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain addressing emerging issues of gender and law. DFLW is a sustainable network of feminist scholars that builds on existing, but ad hoc, North/South and East/West collaborations. Our aim is to create a long-term sustainable