All of our research has internationally recognised impact.

More than two thirds of our research is internationally recognised and a quarter of this work is internationally excellent.

Researchers within the School of Law at University of Bedfordshire are engaged in high-quality academic research designed to have a positive influence on practice. Its impact on legal and policy debate has international reach.

Specialist knowledge

Working across the national, regional and international, we focus in particular on the legal protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Our research informs, and attracts funding, from legislatures, governments and international non-governmental organisations.

Collaborative research

Our researchers collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders, both in the UK and internationally.

In May 2013, the School of Law was awarded a prestigious contract by the European Parliament to provide external expertise on issues relating to fundamental rights arising in petitions made by individuals to the Parliament’s Petitions Committee.

Our research on terrorism, counter-terrorism and fundamental freedoms is of significant and on-going relevance.

Our academic work on the protection of human rights in situations of public emergency and threats to national security has contributed to and informed public debate on the question of the protection of the human rights of individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism.

Our research fellows and postgraduate research students have published widely in leading journals on these topics, as well as having acted pro bono as external consultants and advisors for non-governmental organisations in a number of important and high profile domestic and international cases.

The research team are also involved in a range of collaborative and individual research projects covering various dimensions of human rights and cultural and religious diversity.

Collaborative work in this area includes a project funded by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Scientific Research on ‘The Human Dimension of Cultural Heritage’, which resulted in a collective volume entitled Cultural Heritage, Cultural Rights, Cultural Diversity: New Developments in International Law, published by Brill in 2012.

Research into cybercrime

We contribute to debate and policy relating to the protection of individuals who belong to particularly vulnerable groups. Fellows belonging to our research interest group on the law of the European Union collaborate closely with researchers in the University of Bedfordshire’s National Centre for Cyberstalking Research (NCCR)

The first stage of this multi-disciplinary collaboration aimed to ensure adequate protection was provided for the victims of cybercrime in the EU draft directive establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime (adopted in November 2012).

As part of the second stage of the project, law researchers and NCCR made joint submissions to the consultation launched by the Director of Public Prosecution in March 2013 on the Interim Guidelines on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media.

Research into company law and governance

Our research into areas of company law and corporate governance is of relevance to the legal profession and to the wider business community, both within the UK and abroad.

Activities in this area include research on theories of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, investment strategies, the interaction between companies and institutional investors, and the debate as to the use of soft law and hard law in the regulation of companies.

Our academics act as advisors to government agencies, including the Capital Markets Authority of the Sultanate of Oman, and serve as members of official consultative and regulatory bodies, including the Ukrainian Academy of Banking, the Tanganyika Law Society and the World Council for Corporate Governance.

Working with our students

Research students within the School of Law are fully integrated into the activities of our research teams, and are encouraged and supported to develop their profile and experience by publishing and presenting their work. We have an excellent record in supporting postgraduate researchers for academic and career success.

Join our research team as a postgraduate student

Apply to our Research Graduate School