Professor Kilpatrick brings with her a wealth of expertise in European and international labour law, having most recently served as Professor at the European University Institute in Florence, where she also held the roles of Dean of Graduate Studies and Co-Director of the Academy of European Law. Her distinguished academic journey has also included positions in London, Cambridge, and Bristol.

At Queen's, Professor Kilpatrick is leading a major four-year research project titled "The EU’s New Frontiers of Human Rights at Work". This ambitious initiative explores how the European Union is embedding international human and labour rights into its market regulation frameworks—particularly in areas such as green transition, trade, and global supply chains. From forced labour and deforestation to critical raw materials and corporate sustainability, the project will examine how these evolving legal sources impact labour rights both within and beyond the EU

By focusing on the underexplored labour dimension of these regulatory developments, the project will assess their design, impact, and implications for EU legitimacy and accountability. It promises to make a significant contribution to our understanding of how international rights frameworks are shaping the future of work and environmental governance.

Head of School, Professor Warren Barr commented, "I am delighted to welcome Claire, who has chosen Queen's Law School as a home for this major, prestigious project and appointment.   It is a testament to the incredible reputation of our researchers here across the variety of micro-disciplines in law, both in terms of academic excellence and the real-world impact of their research.  Great things happen at Queen's Law School."

We are thrilled to have Professor Kilpatrick join our academic community and look forward to the insights and impact her work will bring.