Socio-Legal Research Centre

Dublin City University

 

 

Our Programmes

Staff

Contact Details

 

 

 

About the Socio-Legal Research Centre

 

The Socio-Legal Research Centre (SLRC), based in the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University, is committed to the study of law in society. The Centre engages in empirical and theoretical research on both national and international levels. The staff at the SLRC have varying research interests, all of which focus on the interaction between the law and the society in which it is created and operates. These diverse research interests include, amongst others: medical and healthcare law, family law, employment law and policy, equality and discrimination law, disability law, conflict resolution and mediation, criminal justice and criminal procedure, the law of armed conflict, international human rights law and judicial reform.

 

 

 

What is Socio-Legal Research?

 

Socio-legal research encompasses many different methodological and disciplinary fields. The Socio-Legal Studies Association provided this useful description of the work of its members for the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2001:

Our members undertake library based theoretical work, empirical work which leads to the development of grounded theory, as well as more policy orientated studies which feeds directly into the policy making process. What binds the socio-legal community is an approach to the study of legal phenomena which is multi- or inter-disciplinary in its approach. Our theoretical perspectives and methodologies are informed by research undertaken in many other disciplines. Traditionally socio-legal scholars have bridged the divide between law and sociology, social policy, and economics. But there is increasing interest in law and disciplines within the field of humanities.

 

 

 

Our Programmes

 

The School of Law and Government runs three undergraduate programmes: BCL (Law and Society); BA in Economics, Politics and Law; and BA in International Relations. (MORE)

 

At a postgraduate level, the Socio-Legal Research Centre invites applications for our LLM by research and PhD programmes. (MORE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undergraduate Programmes

 

 

BA (Law and Society)

 

The BCL (Law and Society) aims to provide students with an understanding of the law, and also an appreciation of the range of social forces which influence how legal rules are developed, enacted and applied.  Students undertaking this degree will learn how to understand the law, and also to question and critique the law in its wider social context There is a strong focus in the BCL (Law and Society) on the interaction between society and the law which distinguishes this from other traditional law degrees. It is an exciting, innovative degree which provides students with a strong academic foundation in law as well as an array of related applied skills and an awareness of the societal influences on the law. Students taking this degree have the opportunity to be involved in community-centred extra-curricular activities and a final year work placement. (MORE)

 

 

BA in Economics, Politics and Law

 

In conjunction with DCUBS

 

The BA in Economics, Politics and Law (EPL) provides students with the opportunity to study each of the three distinct disciplines and to develop and appreciation of the interaction between these discrete areas. The BA in Economics, Politics and Law aims to provide students with an understanding of the political, legal and economic institutions that shape the current global environment. Students taking this degree have the opportunity to study abroad for one year. (MORE)

 

 

BA in International Relations

 

The BA in International Relations allows students to discover more about a variety of issues and debates in global politics and to consider the forces which shape contemporary societies. Staff members of the Socio-Legal Research Centre provide modules on International Law on this undergraduate programme. Students taking this degree have the opportunity to study abroad for one year. (MORE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postgraduate Programmes

 

 

LLM by Research

 

The Socio-Legal Research Centre invites applications from persons interested in undertaking an LLM by Research. This would involve an independent research project, under the supervision of a staff member of the SLRC, on a topic falling within the socio-legal sphere. The LLM student would be required to submit a thesis on their chosen topic of approximately 40,000 words. The LLM by Research would usually be taken on a full-time basis over a period of 2 years (up to a maximum of 3 years) or on a part-time basis (up to a maximum of 4 years).

 

If you are considering applying for an LLM by Research you should first consider what subject area you are interested in. You should then make contact with the member of staff you think would be best suited to supervising your Masters thesis.

 

Following this initial, informal contact, you will need to apply formally. For further details on this visit RegistryÕs Postgraduate Research Pages.

 

 

PhD

 

The Socio-Legal Research Centre invites applications from persons interested in undertaking a PhD on a topic falling within the socio-legal sphere, with dedicated supervision by staff members of the Centre. A PhD thesis would normally be 85,000 words in length and would be undertaken on a full-time basis over a period of 3-4 years (up to a maximum of 5 years) or on a part-time basis (up to a maximum of 6 years).

 

If you are considering applying for a PhD you should first consider what subject area you are interested in. You should then make contact with the member of staff you think would be best suited to supervising your PhD thesis.

 

Following this initial, informal contact, you will need to apply formally. For further details on this visit RegistryÕs Postgraduate Research Pages.

 

For more general information on Postgraduate Study at DCU you should also visit DCUÕs Graduate Studies website.

 

Staff members of the Socio-Legal Research Centre also provide international law modules on the taught MA programmes in the School of Law and Government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staff

 

Dr. Brenda Daly

Healthcare Law; Law and Dispute Resolution; Mediation and Conflict Resolution; Patients' Rights; Legal Accountability of the Medical Profession; Employment Law

 

Dr. Yvonne Daly

Criminal Justice; Pre-Trial Process; Rights of the Accused; Laws of Evidence

 

Dr. Michael Doherty

Employment and Labour Law; Industrial Relations Law and Policy; Social Partnership; the Role of Trade Unions

 

Dr. Noelle Higgins

International Law and the Use of Force; Conflict and Security Law; International Humanitarian Law; International Human Rights Law

 

Dr. Adam McAuley

European Convention on Human Rights; Legal Rights of Children

 

Dr. Olivia Smith

Gender Equality; Disability Discrimination; Labour Law; Human Rights

 

Dr. David Tomkin

Healthcare Law; Company Law

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Details

 

Socio-Legal Research Centre

School of Law and Government

Dublin City University

Glasnevin

Dublin 9

 

brenda.daly@dcu.ie