Dr. Aisling de Paor Biography

Associate Professor – School of Law & Government

Dr Aisling de Paor joined DCU in 2014, and lectures ‘Moot Court’, ‘Genetics Law and Society’ and ‘Medical Law and Bioethics.’ She has significant administrative experience; she leads experiential learning, external relations and engagement activities at the School of Law & Government. She has also sat on the University Appeals Board and is the new Programme Chair for the BCL degree. She is a qualified Solicitor with strong links to industry and various professional bodies, particularly in the legal profession. Aisling established DCU’s first Law INTRA programme, which led to the introduction of further placement programmes across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Linked to this, she has established connections with various national and multinational employers, as well as public bodies and NGOs and has secured funding and sponsorship for DCU.

Aisling is student focused and enthusiastic about higher education. She has led various clinical legal education activities, and integrated a range of practical skills that support students in making the transition from university to professional life. In 2021 she received a ‘Teaching Hero’ Award from the National Forum of Teaching and Learning (and USI). She has been nominated for the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2017, 2018 and 2021, and won this Award in 2018. Aisling works on developing alumni engagement at DCU. In 2017 she established the Graduate Law Mentorship Programme & Network (with colleagues in the DCU Alumni Office and Careers Service). The initiative provides a graduate network of support for hundreds of DCU graduates, particularly benefitting those from under-represented backgrounds and first generation university attenders.

Aisling’s research interests lie in the fields of genetics law and policy, medical law and disability law, and she has published widely in these areas. Through her research collaborations she has developed strong international links with various universities across Europe, the USA and Canada. She sits on the Ethics Advisory Board for a multidisciplinary EU funded project (on advancing personalised medicine) and is an honorary fellow of the Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University, New York.

Aisling is passionate about the mission and values of DCU. She brings a strong focus on student, alumni and industry/ community engagement.