Clare's main research interests lie in the areas of criminal justice, transitional justice, conflict transformation, politically motivated former prisoners and youth, crime and social justice. Her recent research has focused on the experiences of children and young people growing up in interface areas, the experiences of young people with community justice/punishment and the impacts of conflict legacy on children and young people in Northern Ireland and the border regions of Ireland. She is co-author of Criminal Justice in Transition: The Northern Ireland Context (2015) (with Prof Anne-Marie McAlinden), and has published articles in the Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Contemporary Justice Review, British Journal of Criminology and the International Journal of Transitional Justice. Her most recent published work with collegues Dr Siobhan McAlister and Dr Mary-Louise Corr examines the continuing transgenerational impacts of the Conflict: ‘It Didn’t End in 1998’ Examining The Impacts Of Conflict Legacy Across Generations. Clare has presented her work nationally and internationally to a range of audiences including academics, policy makers and practitioners. She has served as an Executive Board member on leading NGOs including the Committee on the Administration of Justice and NIACRO .

Awards

Brian Williams Prize: Her article ‘Risk, Politics and the 'Scientification' of Political Judgement: Prisoner Release and Conflict Transformation in Northern Ireland’ published in the British Journal of Criminology was awarded the Brian Williams Prize 2008. This prize is awarded for the best sole authored article by a “new” scholar that has made a valuable contribution to the further development of criminology.

Administration: Administrative roles within the School and across the University.

School Administrative roles

• Interim Director of Education – School of Law (October 2016-September 2017)
• Assistant Director of Education (2014-2016)
• Street Law Programme Co-ordinator (2017-2020)
• NSS School Champion (2017-)
• Juris Doctor (JD) Programme Coordinator (2021-)
• Programme Director of Masters in Law & Masters in Legal Science (2013-2016)
• Member of the School Management Board (2016-2017)
• Nominated Member of the School Management Board (2014-2015)
• Elected Member of the School Management Board (2013-2014)
• School of Law Representative on the Academic Council (2013-)
• School of Law Member of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies’ Professional Standards Board (2013-)
• School of Law Research Committee (2014-2016)
• School of Law Education Committee (2014-Present)
• School of Law PGT Education Committee (2021-Present)
• Member of School of Law Postgraduate Committee (2013-2016)
• Member of School of Law UG Education Committee (2012-2017)
• PDP Year Tutor, Level 1 (Personal Development Planning) (2012-2014)
• Personal Tutor to UG students (2010-Present)
• Assistant Director of the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice (2007-2009)

Previous contribution to University administration:

• Member of University Senate: Academic Council representative on University Senate.
• Member of Academic Council: School of Law representative on the Academic Council.
• Member of AHSS Undergraduate Education Committee
• Member of Academic Year Project Implementation Group
• Member of Supporting Student Attainment Action Group
• Member of Collaborative Provision Group