Personal statement

Robert joined Strathclyde Law School in August 2025 as a Reader in Public Law.  He had previously been a Reader at the University of Aberdeen School of Law and received his LLB (Hons), MJur and PhD from Durham Law School.

Robert has a particular interest and expertise in: constitutional conventions, constitutional theory, the Anglo-Scottish Union, devolution, delegated legislation, English and Scottish judicial review, retained EU law/assimilated law, comparative legal culture, and abortion law.

Robert has previously published articles in major UK law journals such as the Modern Law Review, Public Law, and the Edinburgh Law Review, as well as in international journals such as Comparative Legal History and Zeitschrift für Parlamentsfragen (ZParl).  He also has book chapters published or forthcoming with leading UK and international publishers such as Cambridge University Press, Edinburgh University Press, Springer, and Fagbokforlaget, as well as a book contract with Hart Publishing for a forthcoming monograph on UK constitutional conventions in 2027.  Robert was a Scottish Parliament Academic Fellow from 2020-21 examining the use of parliamentary scrutiny of delegated legislation during Brexit and from 2022-23 twice advised the European Scrutiny Committee of the UK Parliament on Retained EU Law and Assimilated Law.  From 2021-22 he was also a Visiting Scholar at Edinburgh Law School researching the constitutional impact of the 1707 Acts of Union.  Robert has further advised BBC Reality Check and STV Scotland Tonight, has been interviewed by Original FM, and has written for the Press and Journal.

Robert is an accomplished teacher in public law with experience in delivering classes on constitutional law, administrative law and human rights law.  He also has experience teaching comparative legal culture at the University of Bergen, Norway, and has acted as an external examiner for both the University of Strathclyde and the University of Stirling.

Robert is highly skilled and experienced in administrative service and is the Director of Policies and Procedures and Deputy Research Director at Strathclyde Law School.  During his time at the University of Aberdeen, he had several major leadership roles within the School of Law including: REF Output Lead, Director of the Aberdeen Centre for Constitutional and Administrative Law (ACCPIL), Academic Line Manager, and LLB Coordinator.  External from the School, Robert was also the Chair of the Aberdeen Humanities Fund and an Executive Council Member of the Friends of the Aberdeen University Library.