UofGLaw: Recent Episodes
University of Glasgow School of Law
James Devaney, Professor of International Law, in conversation with Raj Bhala, University Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas.
The pair discuss international trade law in the context of the current US administration, and how previous assumptions about how the US operates in relation to the 'rules based' international order are now in flux.
They end by reflecting on the enduring value of a legal education, and scholarship, in the field of international law.
In this episode, the Voices Ambassadors and law students explore the accommodation available for those in the asylum process. From hotels and dispersal housing to larger accommodation sites, we discuss how the asylum accommodation system works, who is eligible, and the challenges many people face navigating it.
This episode also covers the UK's "no choice" allocation policy, and what happens when someone moves on from asylum support after being granted refugee status or leave to remain. We also hear from the Voices Ambassadors share their firsthand accounts of the asylum support system and the impact the accommodation policies can have on people's wellbeing and sense of stability.
Links:
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GO Justice Centre: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/gojustice/
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BRC Voices Ambassadors: https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/how-we-support-refugees/voices-network
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Right to Remain toolkit: https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/asylum-support/
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Home Office Allocation of Asylum Accommodation Policy https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-accommodation-requests-policy/allocation-of-asylum-accommodation-policy-accessible
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BWO v SSHD [2026] EWHC 729 (Admin): https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2026/729.html&query=%28human%29+AND+%28rights%29
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A summary of this case and its facts can be found here: https://www.lawcases.net/cases/r-sh-and-bwo-v-secretary-of-state-for-the-home-department-2026-ewhc-729-admin/
Sources of Mental health support:
The Samaritans – free crisis helpline : 116 123
Childline – free crisis helpline for anyone in UK under 19 years old - Phone: 0800 1111
ReThink Mental Illness A Website that has a factsheet providing information of the mental health support Asylum and Refugee Seekers are entitled to with the NHS and a dropdown of Useful Contacts including support groups
Refugee Women Connect : A women-only charity set up to support women asylum-seekers, refugees and survivors of trafficking.
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Phone: 0151 305 1070
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Email: info@refugeewomenconnect.org.uk
In this episode of 'Voices of Asylum Support in Scotland' the Voices Ambassadors and law students discuss misconceptions surrounding the financial support available to those seeking safety. This episode summarises the financial support available and the legal process of applying for it, as well as the extra support pregnant women and parents are entitled to. We also hear about the reality and difficulty of living on this support from those with experience of claiming asylum.
Links:
Home Office maternity and pregnancy grants under 'Extra money for mothers and young children' and 'maternity payment': https://www.gov.uk/asylum-support/what-youll-get
Further detail on how to apply here: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/asylum-seekers-financial-support-and-housing/#Additional_support_for_if_you_are_pregnant_or_have_a_child_under_3
Home office asylum support application: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-asylum-support-form-asf1
BRC: https://www.redcross.org.uk
SRC: Get Support - Scottish Refugee Council
Amma Birth companions: https://ammabirthcompanions.org
Asylum Support Appeals Project: https://www.asaproject.org
Sources of Mental health support:
The Samaritans– free crisis helpline - Phone: 116 123
Childline – free crisis helpline for anyone in UK under 19 years old - Phone: 0800 1111
ReThink Mental Illness A Website that has a factsheet providing information of the mental health support Asylum and Refugee Seekers are entitled to with the NHS and a dropdown of Useful Contacts including support groups
Refugee Women Connect : A women-only charity set up to support women asylum-seekers, refugees and survivors of trafficking.
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Phone: 0151 305 1070
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Email: info@refugeewomenconnect.org.uk
'Voices of Asylum Support in Scotland' from the British Red Cross and Law students from the GO Justice Centre at the School of Law, discuss some common misconceptions surrounding the asylum system and the people who are seeking safety within it. This episode walks us through a brief overview of the legal process of seeking asylum, and we hear about its many complexities from those with experience of navigating it.
Links:
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GO Justice Centre: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/gojustice/
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BRC Voices Ambassadors: https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/how-we-support-refugees/voices-network
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The Home Office's asylum support page: https://www.gov.uk/asylum-support
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Migrant Help: https://www.migranthelpuk.org/Pages/Category/asylum
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Right to Remain: https://righttoremain.org.uk
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The right to remain toolkit: https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/)
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Govan Community Project: https://govancommunityproject.org.uk
Sources of Mental health support:
The Samaritans - free crisis helpline - Phone: 116 123
Childline – free crisis helpline for anyone in UK under 19 years old - Phone: 0800 1111
ReThink Mental Illness A Website that has a factsheet providing information of the mental health support Asylum and Refugee Seekers are entitled to with the NHS and a dropdown of Useful Contacts including support groups
Refugee Women Connect : A women-only charity set up to support women asylum-seekers, refugees and survivors of trafficking.
- Phone: 0151 305 1070
- Email: info@refugeewomenconnect.org.uk
On this episode Dr Matina Papadaki, Lecturer in International Law, speaks to student Dana Ahmed. Dana is a fourth-year Common Law with Politics student at the University of Glasgow and a law of the sea researcher.
Here they talk about Dana's research into the Red Sea coral reefs, becoming a National Geographic Society Young Explorer, as well as her work to elevate climate and ocean literacy.
- Read Dana's interview with the University of Glasgow Guardian.
- Learn more about World Ocean Day
This podcast episode brings together various voices involved in the Glasgow Open Justice Public Legal Education project. Including Adam McIlwaine, Education Manager at the Marie Trust, who highlighted the charity's holistic approach to addressing the impacts of homelessness, including support through intervention and outreach work, counselling, and access to education through the charity’s Education Programme. Reflecting on the collaboration in the context of Scotland’s human rights agenda, Adam emphasised the importance of public legal education in supporting both service users and the Trust’s staff to develop sustainable legal knowledge.
At the heart of the podcast is a wide-ranging conversation between workshop participants Neil, Lynn, and Eleanor, and law students Niamh Dennis and Jorgi Kelly. Participants reflected on the transformative impact of the project, sharing personal insights into how participating in the Education Programme and the law workshops, improved their confidence, well-being, and their capacity to advocate for their rights and the rights of others.
Cameron Wong-McDermott and Nicole Marshall from GO Justice discuss looking ahead at their partnerships and developing the project. GO Justice and the Marie Trust plan to work in partnership to develop new workshops, and we are particularly interested in exploring creative methods such as legislative theatre, photography, and creative writing as engaging ways to promote rights awareness and understanding of the law. This summer, GO Justice will also be working with the British Red Cross’ Voices Ambassadors, people with lived experience of the asylum process, to design and facilitate workshops on housing rights.
While often used in human rights discourse, it is difficult to define what is meant by the term ‘empowerment’, or even what it means to be ‘empowered’. This discussion, we hope, illustrates how collaborative learning environments in community settings can help build an understanding of the law, and ultimately, confidence in one’s ability to advocate for those rights. Community spaces, such as the Marie Trust, play a key, but often less visible role, in contributing to positive outcomes such as an enhanced sense of citizenship and social inclusion. These outcomes are difficult to quantify, creating challenges when measuring impact for funding applications.
Amy McGilp (Diploma in Professional Legal Practice student) talks to Fiona McPhail about her career in law.
They discuss Fiona's ongoing comittment to social justice, including her experience as Principal Solicitor at Shelter Scotland, and her role at the School of Law’s GO Justice centre.
Fiona reflects on the challenges of working in the front line of legal aid provision, emphasising the importance of self-care, and her own experience of navigating the twin demands of professional and personal life.
She ends by offering some advice to law students wanting to work in the field of legal aid and social justice.
Beste Yasav (International Law LLM student) talks to Professor Jen Ang (School of Law GO Justice Centre) about her career in human rights law.
They discuss Jen's career path and her experience of founding organisations 'JustRight Scotland' and 'Lawmanity'.
Jen reflects on the challenges of carving out a career in what can be a demanding sector, as well as stressing the importance of prioritising one's own well-being and a life outside of work.
She ends by offering some advice to law students wanting to work in the field of human rights law.
Key podcast moments:
- Tracing your career path
- Founding JustRight Scotland and Lawmanity
- Career challenges and barriers
- Well-being while working in the human rights field
- The future of human rights in the AI age
- Advice to law students wishing to pursue a career in human rights
On Tuesday 3 October, the School of Law had the privilege of hosting Professor Ann Skelton, Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, at a special joint event with the University of Strathclyde’s Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures.
The ‘In Conversation’ event provided a unique opportunity for students and academics to engage with one of the world’s foremost child rights experts.
Following World Children's Day on 20 November, and as a partner piece to our earlier podcast release this week, the School of Law is delighted to share the full recording of this conversation.
On World Children's Day 2023 we are delighted to share a special School of Law podcast episode.
Professor Bruce Adamson, former Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, speaks to three of our inspiring students about their work as children's rights defenders.
Jack Bell, Beau Johnston and Madeleine McKnight talk to Bruce about their experience in the field of children’s rights, considering issues such as the proposed incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scottish Law, the environment and how we use the law to effect social change.
They also reflect on their experiences at Glasgow and how the study of law is supporting them to develop the skills to make a real difference in the sphere of young people’s rights.
The University of Glasgow School of Law is proud to present our flagship employability podcast, 'The Bar & Beyond.' Tune in as we explore the inspiring stories of our esteemed alumni, charting their careers from law school all the way to their current ventures - from courtrooms to boardrooms, academia to entrepreneurship.
Each episode offers a deep dive into the personal and professional journeys of our alumni, filled with insights, anecdotes, and reflections that can help you enhance your employability and give you a sneak peek into careers in the world of law and beyond.
Join us as we bring you captivating stories straight from the heart of our Glasgow community, designed to inspire, educate, and entertain. Discover 'The Bar & Beyond'.
'Beyond the Gavel' - join us on the latest episode of 'The Bar & Beyond' where Glasgow Law School alumni, Chrislyn Pereira and Martina Menegat, reveal the untold stories of their extraordinary journeys beyond the world of traditional Law. Discover the allure of tech start-ups, the urgency of climate change initiatives, and much more. Get ready to redefine what it means to hold a Law degree. Press play now!
Discover the vast world that lies beyond the Bar! Tune into our inaugural episode of 'The Bar & Beyond' podcast as we delve into the diverse career paths that await Law graduates. Join our hosts, Javier Solana, Senior Lecturer in Commercial Law, and Klaudia Szabelka, a student at the University of Glasgow, as they bring you a riveting conversation with an accomplished Glasgow Law alumna, Zaneta Sedilekova.
Listen as Zaneta takes us through her journey as a Biodiversity and Climate Risk Lawyer, her unique experiences in the legal industry, and her reflections on climate change and mental health in the workplace. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the myriad opportunities a Law degree can offer. Tune in now and let us help you unlock your legal career potential!
On this episode co-host Dr Magali Eben talks to Dr David Reader, Senior Lecturer in Competition Law at the School of Law, about merger control and the impact of the Ticketmaster Live Nation merger on Taylor Swift tickets, as well as his experience of teaching at Glasgow and Newcastle.
On this episode we speak to Dr Eamon Keane, Lecturer in Evidence and Criminal Procedure at the School of Law.
Dr Keane talks with Dr Brown about his work as part of the team carrying out research on behalf of Justice Analytical Services (Scottish Government) on rape shield legislation in Scotland.
The research project is being led by Professor Sharon Cowan (University of Edinburgh), alongside researchers Professor Vanessa Munro (University of Warwick) and Dr Keane.
On this episode, Dr Alan Brown speaks to Dr Lesley-Anne Barnes Macfarlane, Senior Lecturer in Scots Law. Dr Barnes Macfarlane talks about the recent reforms in Scotland concerning children's participation in the family court system.
On this episode, Alan Brown speak to Dr Jill Robbie, Senior Lecturer, and Hannah Mimiec, a fourth year Law student. Hannah talks about her Carnegie Vacation Scholarship, supervised by Jill, on a project entitled 'Community Law Ownership and the Green Recovery from the Coronavirus'.
On this episode, Dr Jill Robbie speaks to Kristian Cedervall Lauta, Professor of Law at the University of Copenhagen. He speaks to Jill about his work on Disaster Law, and how this paradigm can help us to understand climate change and shape our response to the climate crisis.
On this episode, Magali Eben speaks to Pinar Oruc, a post-doctoral researcher with CREATe.
Pinar talks about her research for Horizon 2020’s ‘Recreating Europe’ consortium, which investigates digital copyright law in relation to cultural products.
She considers issues such as AI and data mining, as well as copyright and 3D printing technology, in the context of cultural heritage and restitution claims.
On this episode Dr Alan Brown talks to Dr Magali Eben, Lecturer in Competition Law at the School of Law. Dr Eben reflects on the challenges inherent in the regulation of digital platforms, such as Google, in operation across the EU.
Dr Rebecca Mason talks about her ESRC fellowship project: ‘Women, Marriage and Law in Scotland: Historical and Legal Perspectives’.
On this episode, podcast host Magali Eben talks to Mark Furse, Professor of Competition Law at the School.
Mark discusses the challenges of the digital economy for competition law enforcement in Asian countries, and how they might differ from those in Europe. He also talks about the global nature of Commerce.
We speak to Maria Fletcher and Seonaid Stevenson-McCabe, from the 'First 100 Years' project team, about their reflections on the project.
Interview with poet Nadine Aisha Jassat, author of poetry collection 'Let me tell you this'. The first episode of the online 'Read and Rights' bookclub hosted by the School of Law and RebLaw Scotland.
With Maria Fletcher, Senior Lecturer in EU Law, and Seonaid Stevenson-McCabe and Katy MacAskill, two of the founders of RebLaw Scotland.
As part of our 100 Voices for 100 Years exhibition we are delighted to be hosting a series of podcast episodes in association with the School of Law podcast, bringing together the voices of women in law past and present.
On this episode, Maria Fletcher speaks to Lady Cosgrove, CBE, about her illustrious career as a judge and Senator of the College of Justice, and her ongoing commitment to the advancement of women in law.
On this episode we hear from Professor Fiona Leverick (Professor of Criminal Law) and Regius Professor of Law James Chalmers about the recently published findings of their Scottish Jury Research Project.
Commissioned by the Scottish Government, the research was undertaken jointly with Professor Vanessa Munro from the University of Warwick and led by Ipsos MORI.
As the biggest mock jury project in the UK to date, the research sought to determine what effects certain unique features of the Scottish judicial system may – or may not – have on the process of jury decision-making.
On this episode our host Alan Brown is joined by Dr Cait Storr, Lecturer in Property and Legal Theory at the School. They discuss Dr Storr’s forthcoming monograph with Cambridge University Press, which provides a historical narrative of the Oceanic island of Nauru.
Looking at the history of Nauru as an object of international legal administration, the book charts the changing status of the island in international law from German protectorate in the 19th century, through to its recognition as a sovereign state in the 1960s.
As part of our 100 Voices for 100 Years exhibition we are delighted to be hosting a series of podcast episodes in association with the School of Law podcast, bringing together the voices of women in law past and present.
On this episode, Seonaid Stevenson speaks to Ms Flora Douglas, who shares her memories of an elderly Madge Easton Anderson, whom she got to know as a teenager growing up in Perthshire.
On this episode we are joined by Dr Henry Lovat, a Lord Kelvin Adam Smith Research Fellow at the School. Dr Lovat talks about the issues explored by his forthcoming book, ‘Negotiating Civil War: The Politics of International Regime Design’ (Cambridge University Press).
Dr Lovat considers why International Law has historically overlooked the regulation of civil war relative to its inter-state counterparts and how, in spite of this, the post WWII epoch has been responsible for the creation of a robust set of international treaty rules policing the conduct of internal armed conflict.
Our host Alan Brown talks to Professor Jane Mair and Felicity Belton, who discuss their new research project, the board game ‘Legally Wed’, developed with colleague Dr Frankie McCarthy and supported by the University’s ‘Business Booster’ fund.
The game charts the legal and social processes involved in becoming ‘legally wed’ in Scotland and is intended as a fun way of exploring the legal underpinnings of the marriage contract, designed to have educational value within and beyond the university.
On this episode, Dr Brown is joined by Professor Tom Mullen to discuss some of the ongoing legal and constitutional issues regarding Brexit. Professor Mullen discuss the possibility of Parliament preventing the UK leaving the EU without a deal and the potential legal mechanism through which this might be achieved.
In a conversation taking place in mid-August, Professor Mullen sets out the legal issues around votes of confidence in the government, predicts the possibility of the Prime Minister proroguing Parliament to ensure a ‘no deal’ exit and discusses the legal implications of the potential involvement of the Queen within the Brexit process.
As part of our 100 Years 100 Voices online exhibition we are delighted to be hosting a series of podcasts in association with the School of Law podcast, bringing together the voices of women in law past and present.
In this episode, Maria Fletcher (Senior Lecturer in European Law) talks to Rosemary Piacentini, an alumna of the School. Rosemary first came to Glasgow University to study law in 1957, returning in 1978 to complete her LLB, which she undertook while raising 10 children with the support of her husband.
On this episode, Dr Alan Brown talks to Professor Jane Mair (Professor of Private Law) about the recent publication of his monograph ‘What is the Family of Law: The Influence of the Nuclear Family’.
They discuss the book’s delineation of the shifting legal definition of family and the privileging in law of an image of the nuclear family underpinned by heteronormative ideology, before asking what alternative models of family may be possible, or necessary, following societal shifts and legal reforms.
Our host Alan Brown talks with Felicity Belton and Joanna Wilson, Research Associates at the School in the Law Reform & Public Policy and International Law, Conflict & Security Groups, about the Glasgow Law Postgraduate Conference taking place on Tuesday 28 May, which they are co-organising with colleague Donald Buglass (Legal Theory Group).
Felicity and Joanna discuss 2018's inaugural event, reflecting on successes and lessons learnt from the experience. They also share their vision for the conference, the diverse range of papers that will be presented, as well as the opportunities that they hope postgraduate scholars will gain from participating.
In this episode, Dr Alan Brown talks to Dr Chris Gill (Lecturer in Public Law) about ESRC project ‘Just Energy’ which he leads with Dr Naomi Creutzfeldt (University of Westminster), investigating access to justice for vulnerable and energy poor consumers in Europe.
The project looks at whether Alternative Dispute Resolution results in more accessible justice for these individuals.
2019 marks the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, which first allowed women to practice as lawyers within the UK. The first practising female solicitor in Britain was Madge Easton Anderson, an alumna of School of Law at Glasgow.
As part of the School’s ‘100 Years, 100 Voices’ project to celebrate the achievements of ‘Madge’ and her peers we are delighted to be hosting a series of guest podcasts, bringing together the voices of women past and present.
Our first episode features an interview with Maria Fletcher, Senior Lecturer in European Law, and Pat Lucie, a former colleague and archivist at the University, who discuss the pioneering women such as Anderson who broke down barriers to study and practise of the law and their enduring legacy.
In this episode our guest host Maria Fletcher (Lecturer in European Law) chats with Seonaid Stevenson, a young solicitor and alumna of the School, who co-founded Reb Law Scotland along with Mairi McAllan and Katy MacAskill.
She talks with Maria about the international Reb Law movement and the recent Reb Law Scotland conference, which was held at the School of Law on 9 February.
In this episode, our host Dr Alan Brown talks to Dr Anna Chadwick (Lecturer in Law) about her recently released monograph ‘Law and the Political Economy of Hunger’ (Oxford University Press), which explores the role of law in the regulation of markets as they relate to the global food system and world hunger. They also discuss the upcoming ‘Finance and Social Justice’ workshop taking at the School of Law on 21-22 March 2019.
This episode features a guest lecture by Professor Brandon L Garrett, who visited the School on 29 January 2019.
Brandon L Garrett is a Professor of Law at Duke University, where his research focuses on the US criminal justice system. His books include ‘End its Rope: How Killing the Death Penalty Can Revive Criminal Justice’ and ‘Convicting the Innocent: Where Criminal Prosecutions Go Wrong’.
In this talk, Garrett discusses a number of high-profile miscarriages of justice, cases which exploited the use of established, but unreliable, methods of forensic science such as finger printing, bite mark and fibre analysis, to ultimately convict an innocent person.
In this episode, podcast host Dr Alan Brown is joined by his colleague Dr Jill Robbie, who talks about her comparative research project on Private Water Rights. They discuss the origins of the project, how her career long interest in the regulation of water began, and how she believes property law has a role to play in addressing the challenges of regulating water in the twenty-first century.
Dr Robbie also talks about her research trips to South Africa, Louisiana and Norway to study the Private Water Rights regimes of those jurisdictions and they discuss the insights that those legal regimes have for the regulation of these issues in Scots Law.