LawPod

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 the North South Criminology Conference earlier in the year.

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 Advice for Aspiring Lawyers 28:17 Future Endeavors and Closing Remarks Please note this episode was remotely recorded.

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 journalism to creative writing.

In April of this year, the report, Bitter Legacy: State Impunity in the Northern Ireland Conflict, was published. Written by a panel of international human rights experts (The International Expert Panel on Impunity) convened by the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights at the request of the Committee on the Administration of Justice and the Pat Finucane Centre, the report documents “widespread, systematic and systemic” impunity for British state involvement in killings, torture and ill-treatment, and collusion. In this episode, Brian Dooley, Senior Advisor at Human Rights First and member of The International Expert Panel, joins Lauren Dempster and Kevin Hearty to discuss state violence in Northern Ireland, the report’s development and findings, and the impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 on efforts to address the legacy of the past. You can access the report here: https://www.jus.uio.no/smr/english/about/id/docs/bitter-legacy-29-april-24.pdf Please note that this episode was recorded on 3rd July 2024, one day before the UK General Election in which the Government that introduced the ‘Legacy and Reconciliation’ Act discussed in this episode lost power. The new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has since provided an update to parliament on the new Government’s approach to the Act: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/northern-ireland-troubles-legacy-reconciliation-act-2023#:~:text=It%20underlines%20the%20Government's%20absolute,and%20of%20victims%20and%20survivors

In this episode, we welcome Dr Fiona McGaughey from the University of Western Australia to discuss business and human rights and the 2018 Modern Slavery Act in Australia. Joined by Dr. Ciarán O'Kelly and Dr. Ciara Hackett, Dr McGaughey shares her journey into business and human rights research. The conversation delves into the evolution of business responsibilities toward human rights, the role of modern slavery legislation, and the importance of integrating human rights due diligence in business practices. They also explore the effectiveness of reporting laws, the role of SMEs, and the emerging significance of environmental considerations. Additionally, the discussion touches on the complexities of remedy for victims of corporate human rights abuses and the broader implications for climate change and community engagement.

Dr. Cheryl Lawther welcomes Dr. Brianne Mc Gonigle Leyh from Utrecht University to discuss her research on transitional justice in the United States. The conversation explores how transitional justice, typically associated with countries emerging from conflict or authoritarian regimes, applies to the US. Leyh's work highlights historical and contemporary examples of transitional justice measures at federal, state, and local levels. Key topics include the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, local truth commissions, reparations, the role of social movements, and the potential for a national approach to address historical injustices and promote social justice.