Traveller Equality & Justice Project (TEJP)

The Traveller Equality and Justice Project provides legal research and representation to Travellers who have experienced discrimination in accessing goods and services. Previously funded by an EU Rights Equality & Citizenship Award (2020) the TEJP works in partnership with the FLAC Traveller Legal Service to operate a Traveller-specific legal clinic for Travellers in Cork & Kerry. 

For 2024, the Traveller Equality and Justice Project is funded by the Council of Europe, Roma and Travellers Division for September-December 2024 for activity 'Rights Aware,' Capacity Building for Roma and Traveller Civil Society organisations to use Council of Europe standards and mechanisms for promoting rights of Roma and Travellers.

The TEJP is run by Dr Fiona Donson and Dr Samantha Morgan-Williams

Criminal Law, Defences & Evidence

Dr Luke Noonan actively researches and publishes in the intersectional fields of criminal, defence and evidence. This newly formed research cluster, will host a series of seminars over the 2024-2025 period to examine recent developments and legislative changes in the field. 

Gender-based Violence

Dr Catherine O'Sullivan is Chair of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork, and researching gender-based violence and ways of combatting it. Her recent work includes the Stalking and Harassment in Ireland Study. For more on the study see Stalking and Harassment in Ireland Study

Disaster Research Cluster

The Disaster Research Cluster encompasses the research, teaching, and external engagement taking place in the area of international disaster law. The Cluster provides a platform for the sharing of knowledge and research by scholars in the School of Law with shared interests in many aspects of disaster law. This research covers all aspects of disaster law including disaster risk reduction, gender based violence, human rights in disasters and disaster displacement.

Mental Health Law

Dr Darius Whelan is currently President of the Irish Mental Health Lawyers Association, the members of which represent service users (patients) admitted to approved centres under the Mental Health Act 2001. 

Families of Prisoners

Dr Fiona Donson and Dr Aisling Parkes are currently engaged in research into the rights of children and families of prisoners. This emerging and interdisciplinary work engages a variety of research themes including child rights, prisons and criminal justice. 

Courtroom Ethnography

Dr Fiona Donson and Dr Samantha Morgan-Williams are currently completing ethnographic research in the District Court and Workplace Relations Commission. Courtroom ethnography is an emerging methodology within Irish legal research, which uses researcher observation of the court environment to gain better understanding of processes and experiences.  

As part of this work, they designed and implemented a novel court observation module, LW3377 Courtroom Ethnography, which speaks to the need for BCL students to understand both the law in action, and the impact of the courtroom environment upon issues such as access to justice. This work has been awarded two SATLE (Large Grant) Awards.