Research
World-class researchers delivering meaningful research
In the Research Excellence Framework 2014, 69% of outputs in the School were scored as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) and the School was ranked joint 4th in the UK out of 67 Law Schools for the impact of its research.
We have a vibrant, active research community which has a long tradition of generating impactful world class research.
The School is widely-acknowledged as one of the leading centres of legal scholarship and research in the UK. It has particular research strengths in public law; constitutional law; corporate governance; commercial law; environmental law; human rights; criminology and criminal justice, as well as common law.
Our research activities have impacted nationally and internationally through a diverse range of projects ranging from slavery and trafficking, to the Hillsborough disaster, offender reintegration and desistance, and the role of judges in post-conflict settings. Staff have also made valuable contributions to vital public policy discussions in Northern Ireland in areas such as socio-economic rights, reform of criminal justice and policing, and amnesties and truth and prosecution models. Due to the devolved nature of government in Northern Ireland we offer unique opportunities for study and research.
Research Centres
THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE
Over 25 Years Of Human Rights At Queen's
The Human Rights Centre aims to support human rights in the local and global community. We aim to support academic and human rights organisations, in the promotion of human rights. The Human Rights Centre at Queen’s University, Belfast was established in 1990 to provide a focus for research and education on human rights. The Centre continues to draw on the considerable human rights expertise and experience in the School of Law, such as the Health and Human Rights Unit, and more widely with in Queen's University Belfast.
INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Exploring The Future Of Justice
The Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice was established at Queen's in 1994 after a general consensus had emerged amongst policy makers and academics that a centre for criminology and criminal justice was required to develop criminological and criminal justice research and teaching in Northern Ireland. In 1998 the Institute came under the rubric of the School of Law, formalising existing research and teaching relationships and broadening the Institute's membership and the range of courses at Masters level provided.
CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN AND TRANSNATIONAL LEGAL STUDIES
A Critical Approach To The European Union
The Centre for European and Transnational Studies brings together researchers interested in the study of the European Union and European integration as well as the study of transnational law, policy and society within and beyond the European Union. CETS research will be based on thorough understanding of European and transnational integration from legal, political, sociological and economic perspectives, with a focus on the socio-economic and civic consequences of such integration.