Personal statement

I joined the Law School as Lecturer in Scots Private Law in January 2023.  My research interests are within family law, specifically the children’s hearings system in Scotland and child protection in both familial and non-familial settings.  I consider these areas in the context of the legal rights of children and adults.  My PhD, which I undertook on a part-time basis and was awarded with no corrections in 2022, considered the evolutionary nature of legal rights within the children’s hearings system from the creation of the system in the 1960s to the present day.

As well as researching and publishing academically, a central part of my work is to use my research to inform practice. I regularly speak to and write for legal and non-legal practitioners and undertake consultancy activities to inform policy developments and to support practice, including for the Scottish Government and sports governing bodies. 

I am the Director of Student Experience and Progression within the Law School and my teaching relates to domestic and international family law, sports law and delict. 

Before joining the Law School, I was the Head of Wellbeing and Protection for the Scottish Football Association for 5 years.  In this role I worked with children and adults on protection issues across Scottish football.  I led the implementation of the recommendations made by Independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football, including the creation of a Wellbeing and Protection Department within the Scottish FA and development of the first Child Wellbeing and Protection Strategy for Scottish football. I was the only national association member of FIFA’s Safeguarding Expert Group, which designed and advised on the implementation of the FIFA Guardians programme for safeguarding children in world football. 

Prior to my role at the Scottish FA I held a number of research, practice and policy related roles in the children’s hearings system for both the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration and Children’s Hearings Scotland.  As part of the establishment of Children’s Hearings Scotland in 2013 I authored the first Practice and Procedure Manual for children’s panel members following the enactment of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 and worked with partners across the hearings system on the interpretation, implementation and subsequent amendment of the Act.  

I am a proud trustee of The Killie Community, a charity that works throughout Ayrshire using the power of sport to improve individual and community wellbeing.