My research explores the relationship between the criminal law and society, particularly the impact of law on the most vulnerable. I am one of a minority of legal academics skilled in the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods.  I have a track record over the last decade of publishing in leading international journals, producing impactful commissioned reports and attracting research funding. 

 Two current areas of interest are:

1) PUBLIC SPACE AND THE LAW - use of law to exclude and curtail the freedoms of vulnerable members of society in their use of public space. This research builds on my previous research on the control of anti-social behaviour. In recent years, I have been exploring how current trends in law reform in the UK and elsewhere have been towards greater regulation of the use of public space in the name of gentrification, consumerism and crime control. I am exploring how recent law reforms are being used to exclude unpopular minority communities such as the homeless, young people and ethnic minorities.    

2) OLDER VICTIMS OF CRIME  The phenomenon of unequal access to justice for older victims of crime. This research involves original analyses of quantitative and qualitative data exploring the interactions of older people with the criminal justice system of Northern Ireland. Commissioned work for the Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland has produced a series of recommendations for how to reform the system to better support older victims of crime. The report was launched in May 2019. 

My work has been published in leading academic journals including Legal Studies, the  Journal of Law and Society, the Criminal Law Review and Punishment and Society. I have presented on my work both nationally and internationally to academic and practitioner audiences.

I have been awarded funding from the ESRC, EPSRC and other funding bodies. I am a member of the peer review college for the ESRC. 

Prior to taking up my position at Queen's, I was a lecturer at Newcastle University and an associate lecturer at the University of Manchester. I have also held research assistant positions at the University of Manchester and the University of Aberdeen. I have been a visiting scholar at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto and Fordham Law School in New York City. 

I am an award-winning educator whose excellence in teaching, educational innovation and leadership has been recognised at the institutional and national level.  I have been awarded the Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award by QUB and was a finalist in the UK-wide Oxford University Press Law Teacher of the Year Award 2018. QUB also nominated me for a National Teaching Fellowship in 2018, with feedback describing me as a gifted, innovative and student centred practitioner of legal education. As Programmes Convenor for the LLB I manage the day-to-day operation of one of the largest UG degree pathways in the University.  I designed and implemented the LLB (Senior Status) programme, for which I am now the Advisor of Studies. 

Current Teaching

Criminal Law (UG LLB) (Module co-ordinator)

Criminal Liability (UG LLB) (Module co-ordinator)

Evidence Law (UG LLB)

Previous Teaching

Criminal Justice (UG; LLM)

Crime, Justice and Society (LLM) (Module co-ordinator)

Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Money Laundering and Financial Crime (LLM)

Legal Methods and Systems (UG)

Public Law (UG)

The Construction of Crime (UG)

Criminal Justice Processes (LLM)

External Examiner Appointments

Open University (2018-)

University of Glasgow (2018-)

Lancaster University (2014-2017)

Sunderland University (2011-2015)

In 2017, I was awarded the Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award by Queen's University Belfast.

In 2018, I was a finalist in the Oxford University Press UK-wide Law Teacher of the Year Award. 

In 2018, I was appointed to the Lord Chief Justice's Sentencing Group.

In 2019, I was appointed as an expert to the Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in Northern Ireland. 

I was elected to the executive of the Irish Association of Law Teachers in 2018 and in 2019 was elected Treasurer of the association.  

I served as secretary of the Socio-Legal Studies Association (2015-2017). I served six years (2011-2017) as a member of the SLSA's sub-committee for the awarding of Research Grants and PhD Fieldwork Scholarships.

Administrative Roles

LLB (Senior Status) Programme Convenor (2017-)

Personal Tutor (2014-)

Previous Administrative Roles 

LLB Programmes Director (2017-2020)

Law School Ethics Committee Member (2014-2017)

Director of Internationalisation (2016-2017)

UG Admissions Officer (2015-2016)

Advisor of Studies (Year 3 LLB) (2014-2015)

Director of the Newcastle Forum for Human Rights and Social Justice (2013-2014)

Deputy Admissions Selector for the LLB (2013-2014)

Co-ordinator of the Newcastle Law School External Advisory Board (2011-2014)

Staff Co-ordinator of the Student-Staff Relations Committee (2010-2012)

Staff Co-ordinator of the Client Interviewing and Client Negotiation Competitions (2009-2012)

Co-ordinator of Engagement and Alumni Relations (2009-2012)