Research Profile

Fiona Donson

Biography

Fiona Donson is a graduate of Leicester University (LLB 1988), Queen's University, Canada (LLM 1989), King's College London (PhD 1997). She is currently Director of the Traveller Equality and Justice Project.
Fiona's publications include Parental Imprisonment and Children's Rights (with Dr Aisling Parkes - eds. Routledge, 2021), Law and Public Administration in Ireland (with Dr D. O'Donovan, Clarus Press, 2015) and Legal Intimidation: A SLAPP in the Face of Democracy (Free Association Books, 2000). In addition, she has published articles on human rights, administrative justice, access to justice, equality, prisons and protest. 
She is currently Visiting Research Fellow at the School of Human & Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield. 
On sabbatical for 2023, Fiona is currently leading an EU funded project the Traveller Equality and Justice Project (TEJP) focusing on access to justice for Travellers in relation to denial of access to goods and services. She has also collaborated on projects funded by the Irish Research Council, the British Government, the Economic and Social Research Council (UK) and the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime. Her current research includes work on access to justice, the rights of children of incarcerated parents, and public inquiries. In addition, she is co-chair of the Action for Children and Families of Prisoners with the Irish Penal Reform Trust. 
Teaching in the areas of Criminal Law, Administrative Law/Justice, Penology and Traveller Rights Fiona welcome's PhD candidates in these areas.
Before joining UCC at the end of 2007 Fiona worked as a child rights advocate for a number of years in Cambodia including developing child rights training for lawyers for UNICEF and running a major child rights project funded by the European Commission. She has taught at a number of Law Schools in the UK including Leicester and Cardiff.

Research Interests

My research interests fall into a number of areas related to human rights, administrative justice, protest/public order and criminal law pedagogy.
i. Traveller Access to Justice - The  Traveller Equality and Justice Project is a partnership between UCC and the Free Legal Advice Centre. The project, working in partnership with the Traveller Community in Cork and Kerry, is developing a vital data set around Traveller experience of discrimination and engagement with the legal system and access to justice. Such data on the Irish Traveller Community does not exist. This research forms part both of a action oriented approach to the provision of legal information to support access to justice along side important research on the operation of the equality system in Ireland. 
ii. Administrative Justice – My research engages with critical intersections of law, accountability and government including the interrelationship between human rights, public administration and citizen participation; this is an area of legal research which has been neglected in the Irish context. At the same time, the failure of public administration and political oversight that underwrote the collapse of the Irish economy in 2008 has provoked widespread reflection on the need for increased administrative review in the country. I published a textbook in this area with Dr Darren O’Donovan (La Trobe University, Australia): Law and Public Administration in Ireland (Clarus Press) in 2015. Research emerging from that collaboration includes an article on Oireachtas Inquiries in the Dublin University Law Journal and a forthcoming article on Public Inquiries.

iii. Human rights­-       Children/families of prisoners - I am 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. The research involves a series of collaborations both domestically and internationally; working with academic colleagues from University of Coventry, UK (Dr Rhona Epstein), within a European network (Networkcope) based in France, and in UCC (Dr Aisling Parkes). -       Free speech – My ability to generate research outputs which have had a major impact on debates and policy analysis is demonstrated by my monograph published  in 2000, entitled Legal Intimidation, which remains the only book on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) in the UK and Europe. SLAPPs are a well-known form of litigation in the USA but little considered in Europe. I continue to be one of the few researchers working on this issue within Europe. -       Cambodia – Recognising the strategic significance of internationally-focused research, particularly in the Asian context, I am committed to developing research at the intersection between human rights practice in this jurisdiction and legal research. This is particularly in the area of juvenile justice and imprisonment both of young offenders and children of offenders.

Publications

Books

 YearPublication
(2015)Law and Public Administration in Ireland.
Donson, F.; O' Donovan, D. (2015) Law and Public Administration in Ireland. Dublin: Clarus Press.   [Details]
(2000)Legal Intimidation.
Donson, F. ; (2000) Legal Intimidation. London: Free Association Books. [Details]

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2005)'Policing in Cambodia'
Donson, F.; (2005) 'Policing in Cambodia' In: World Police Encyclopaedia. New York, USA: Routledge. [Details]
(1999)'Limiting the Freedom to Protest: Legal Responses to Direct Action'
Donson, F.; (1999) 'Limiting the Freedom to Protest: Legal Responses to Direct Action' In: Making rights work. Aldershot Brookfield USA: Ashgate/Dartmouth. [Details]
(1998)'Data Bases - Positive Policing or Civil Liberties Nightmare?'
Donson, F.; (1998) 'Data Bases - Positive Policing or Civil Liberties Nightmare?' In: Invading the Private: State Accountability and New Investigative Methods in Europe. Dartmouth, Aldershot: Dartmouth, Aldershot. [Details]
(1997)'Civil Liberties and Judicial Review: Can the Common Law Really Protect Rights?'
Donson, F.; (1997) 'Civil Liberties and Judicial Review: Can the Common Law Really Protect Rights?' In: Administrative Law Facing the Future: Old Constraints and New Horizons. London: Blackstone Press. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2014)'Critical Junctures: Regulatory Failures, Ireland’s Administrative State and the Office of the Ombudsman'
Donson, Fiona; O'Donovan, Darren (2014) 'Critical Junctures: Regulatory Failures, Ireland’s Administrative State and the Office of the Ombudsman'. Public Law, :471-490 [Full Text] [Details]
(2010)'Libel cases and public debate - some reflections on whether Europe should be concerned about SLAPPs?'
Donson, Fiona (2010) 'Libel cases and public debate - some reflections on whether Europe should be concerned about SLAPPs?'. Review of European Community and International Environmental Law, 19 (1):83-94   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2004)'Rebels With A Cause, Folk Devils Without a Panic: Press Jingoism, Policing Tactics and anti-capitalist protests in London & Prague'
Donson, F., Chesters, G., Tickle, A., and Welsh, I. ; (2004) 'Rebels With A Cause, Folk Devils Without a Panic: Press Jingoism, Policing Tactics and anti-capitalist protests in London & Prague'. Internet Journal of Criminology,   [Full Text] [Details]
(1996)'Benham v UK: Human Rights and Poll Tax Imprisonment'
Donson, F. (1996) 'Benham v UK: Human Rights and Poll Tax Imprisonment'. Journal of Civil Liberties, 1 :139-148 [Details]
(1996)'Environmental Protection: Public or Private Law?'
Donson, F. and Lee, R.; (1996) 'Environmental Protection: Public or Private Law?'. Judicial Review, 1 (1) [Details]

Other Journals

 YearPublication
(2010)'Further Reflections on the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009'
Donson, F (2010) 'Further Reflections on the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009' Criminal Law Online Service, . [Details]

Published Reports

 YearPublication
(2004)Complaint Mechanisms and the NEC in the 2003 Cambodian National Election.
Sek, S., Lay, S., Donson, F.; (2004) Complaint Mechanisms and the NEC in the 2003 Cambodian National Election. Community Legal Education Center (CLEC), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. [Details]
(2003)NGO Statement on the First Year of Implementation of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Donson, F.; (2003) NGO Statement on the First Year of Implementation of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy. NGO Forum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. [Details]
(2003)Cambodian National Assembly Election Report 2003.
Donson, F.; (2003) Cambodian National Assembly Election Report 2003. Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections Cambodia (NICFEC), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. [Details]
(2001)Monitoring the Good Practice Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Encampments.
Lomax, D., Cowan, D., Donson, F., Third, H., and Higate, P.; (2001) Monitoring the Good Practice Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Encampments. DTLR, UK. [Details]
(1992)Report on Imprisonment for Non-Payment of Poll Tax.
Donson, F.; (1992) Report on Imprisonment for Non-Payment of Poll Tax. Von Hügel Institute, Von Hügel Institute, Cambridge. [Details]

Blog

 YearPublication
(2013)The Reality of Cheap Clothes: Reputation and Responsibility in South Each Asian Garment Industries.
Donson, F. (2013) The Reality of Cheap Clothes: Reputation and Responsibility in South Each Asian Garment Industries. Blog   [Details]
(2013)The Price of Accountability.
Donson, F. (2013) The Price of Accountability. Blog   [Details]
(2012)Protest is not self-indulgent.
Donson, F. (2012) Protest is not self-indulgent. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Murphy Report: Can a failure to protect be prosecuted?.
Donson, F. (2009) Murphy Report: Can a failure to protect be prosecuted?. Blog   [Details]
(2010)More on Stop and Search Powers.
Donson, F. (2010) More on Stop and Search Powers. Blog   [Details]
(2010)Gillan & Quinton v. UK - ECtHR rules UK police stop and search powers violate Art 8.
Donson, F. (2010) Gillan & Quinton v. UK - ECtHR rules UK police stop and search powers violate Art 8. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Trial by Jury to be Removed for Organised Crime Offences.
Donson, F. (2009) Trial by Jury to be Removed for Organised Crime Offences. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Free speech and euthanasia.
Donson, F. (2009) Free speech and euthanasia. Blog   [Details]
(2009)First Khmer Rouge Trial finally underway.
Donson, F. (2009) First Khmer Rouge Trial finally underway. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Northern Ireland Detention challenge successful.
Donson, F. (2009) Northern Ireland Detention challenge successful. Blog   [Details]
(2009)5 years on and Chea Vichea’s murder continues to highlight the lack of justice in Cambodia.
Donson, F. (2009) 5 years on and Chea Vichea’s murder continues to highlight the lack of justice in Cambodia. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Khmer Rouge trial date announced.
Donson, F. (2009) Khmer Rouge trial date announced. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Lord Lester condemns British Government’s Human Rights record.
Donson, F. (2009) Lord Lester condemns British Government’s Human Rights record. Blog   [Details]
(2009)International Human Rights Day - thoughts from Ireland to Cambodia.
Donson, F. (2009) International Human Rights Day - thoughts from Ireland to Cambodia. Blog   [Details]
(2009)20th World Aids Day - Stigmatisation and Discrimination in Ireland.
Donson, F. (2009) 20th World Aids Day - Stigmatisation and Discrimination in Ireland. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Elder Abuse finally receives some attention.
Donson, F. (2009) Elder Abuse finally receives some attention. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Updates on Information Retention in the UK.
Donson, F. (2009) Updates on Information Retention in the UK. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Nepalese professor appointed as Human Rights envoy for Cambodia.
Donson, F. (2009) Nepalese professor appointed as Human Rights envoy for Cambodia. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Prison populations and sentencing reform.
Donson, F. (2009) Prison populations and sentencing reform. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Kids for cash’: the dangers of private prisons laid bare.
Donson, F. (2009) Kids for cash’: the dangers of private prisons laid bare. Blog   [Details]
(2009)Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.
Donson, F. (2009) Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. Blog   [Details]
(2008)Justice for Victims initiative poses a challenge to the law on double jeopardy.
Donson, F. (2008) Justice for Victims initiative poses a challenge to the law on double jeopardy. Blog   [Details]
(2008)Will everyone say No to the WTO?.
Donson, F. (2008) Will everyone say No to the WTO?. Blog   [Details]

Book Reviews

 YearPublication
(2013)Review of - Irish Criminal Justice: Theory, Process and Procedure.
Donson, F.; (2013) Review of - Irish Criminal Justice: Theory, Process and Procedure. Book Reviews [Details]
(1999)Law in Environmental Decision-Making - National, European and International Perspectives'.
Donson, F.; (1999) Law in Environmental Decision-Making - National, European and International Perspectives'. Book Reviews [Details]
(1999)Review of - Law in Environmental Decision-Making; National, European and International Perspectives.
Donson, F. (1999) Review of - Law in Environmental Decision-Making; National, European and International Perspectives. Book Reviews [Details]
(1995)Review of - Butler, Adonis & Travers, Failure in British Government.
Donson, F. (1995) Review of - Butler, Adonis & Travers, Failure in British Government. Book Reviews [Details]

Cases

 YearPublication
(1996)Benham v UK: Human Rights and Poll Tax Imprisonment.
Donson, F.,; (1996) Benham v UK: Human Rights and Poll Tax Imprisonment. Cases [Details]

Manual

 YearPublication
(2005)Child Rights and the Legal Representation of Children in Cambodia, Training and Resources Manual.
Donson, F; (2005) Child Rights and the Legal Representation of Children in Cambodia, Training and Resources Manual. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Manual [Details]
(2005)Induction Training Kit - rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
Donson, F; (2005) Induction Training Kit - rights and responsibilities in the workplace. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Manual   [Details]

Other

 YearPublication
(1998)Review of - European Civil Liberties and the European Convention on Human Rights - A Comparative Study.
Donson, F., ; (1998) Review of - European Civil Liberties and the European Convention on Human Rights - A Comparative Study. Other [Details]
(1996)Case Analysis - Right of Liberty, Right to a Fair Trial.
Donson, F.; (1996) Case Analysis - Right of Liberty, Right to a Fair Trial. Other [Details]

Newspaper Articles

 YearPublication
(2013)The impact of imprisonment beyond the offender.
Donson, F.; Parkes, A. (2013) The impact of imprisonment beyond the offender. Newspaper Articles [Details]

Pamphlet

 YearPublication
(2007)Our Drawings: Experiences and Dreams by Children in Prison.
Donson, F; (2007) Our Drawings: Experiences and Dreams by Children in Prison. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Pamphlet [Details]

Web Page

 YearPublication
(2013)Sentencing: The impact of imprisonment on offenders’ children (Justice for Children of Prisoners).
Donson, F.; Parkes, A. (2013) Sentencing: The impact of imprisonment on offenders’ children (Justice for Children of Prisoners). Web Page   [Details]
(2013)New Network for Children of Incarcerated Parents (Guest Article for the PILA Bulletin).
Donson, F.; Parkes, A. (2013) New Network for Children of Incarcerated Parents (Guest Article for the PILA Bulletin). Web Page   [Details]
(2005)Variety of news, advocacy and research items for DanChurchAid in their organisational newsletter and English language website.
Donson, F; (2005) Variety of news, advocacy and research items for DanChurchAid in their organisational newsletter and English language website. Web Page [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2001An Evidence Based Approach to Global Social Movements: The Prague IMF Action Economic and Social Research Council (UK)

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2012)Society of Legal Scholars, 2012,
Donson, F. (2012) Sentencing of mothers and the rights of the child. [Oral Presentation], Society of Legal Scholars, 2012, Bristol University , 11-SEP-12 - 14-SEP-12. [Details]
(2012)Irish Society of Comparative Law Annual Conference,
Donson, F, (2012) The rights of children of incarcerated parents. [Oral Presentation], Irish Society of Comparative Law Annual Conference, UCC , 02-MAR-12 - 03-MAR-12. [Details]
(2012)Asian Studies in Ireland and Asian-European Social Innovation,
Donson, F. (2012) “Securing Children’s Rights in Cambodia – Challenges and Achievements in the Development of a Functioning Juvenile Justice System”. [Oral Presentation], Asian Studies in Ireland and Asian-European Social Innovation, Cork , 22-NOV-12 - 23-NOV-12. [Details]
(2011)IALT - 'Added Value(s) - The Role of Law in Contemporary Society’,
Donson, F. & O'Sullivan, C. (2011) Threshold or barrier to understanding? Teaching actus reus and mens rea as foundational concepts in criminal law. [Oral Presentation], IALT - 'Added Value(s) - The Role of Law in Contemporary Society’, Athlone , 18-NOV-11 - 20-NOV-11. [Details]
(2011)Environmental Citizenship, Ecological Politics and Global Justice,
Donson, F. (2011) Protest as Environmental Citizenship. [Oral Presentation], Environmental Citizenship, Ecological Politics and Global Justice, UCC , 22-SEP-11 - 22-SEP-11. [Details]
(2010)Thirty Years of Irish Scholarship:Lessons from the Past, Visions for the Future,
Fiona Donson and Steve Hedley (2010) Thirty Years of Irish Scholarship:Lessons from the Past, Visions for the Future. [Oral Presentation], Thirty Years of Irish Scholarship:Lessons from the Past, Visions for the Future, University of Limerick , 26-NOV-10 - 26-DEC-10. [Details]
(2010)Accomodating Victims in the Criminal Justice System,
Donson, F.; (2010) Accomodating Victims in the Criminal Justice System. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Accomodating Victims in the Criminal Justice System, UCC, Cork , 11-JUN-10 - 11-JUN-10. [Details]
(2009)Third Legal Education Symposium,
Donson, F. (2009) Blogging and legal education. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Third Legal Education Symposium, UCD , 13-MAR-09 - 13-MAR-09. [Details]
(2008)Judicial Diversity: Strategies for Change,
Donson, F; (2008) Judicial Diversity: Strategies for Change. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Judicial Diversity: Strategies for Change, Dublin, Ireland , 01-JAN-08 - 31-DEC-08. [Details]
(2008)Youth Justice 2008: Measuring Compliance With International Standards,
Donson, F. (2008) Paying lip service to child rights - challenges in developing a juvenile justice system in Cambodia. [Oral Presentation], Youth Justice 2008: Measuring Compliance With International Standards, UCC , 03-APR-08 - 04-APR-08. [Details]
(2007)2nd National Workshop on Juvenile Justice,
Donson, F; (2007) 2nd National Workshop on Juvenile Justice. [Conference Organising Committee Member], 2nd National Workshop on Juvenile Justice, Phnom Penh Cambodia , 01-JAN-07 - 31-DEC-07. [Details]
(2007)Recent developments in Juvenile Justice,
Donson, F; (2007) Recent developments in Juvenile Justice - the NGO context. [Oral Presentation], Recent developments in Juvenile Justice, Phnom Penh, Cambodia , 01-JAN-07 - 31-DEC-07. [Details]
(2007)Juvenile Justice in Cambodia,
Donson, F.; (2007) Securing Children's Rights in Cambodia: research and advocacy work. [Invited Oral Presentation], Juvenile Justice in Cambodia, Phnom Penh , 15-MAY-07 - 15-MAY-07. [Details]
(2006)1st National Workshop on Juvenile Justice,
Donson, F; (2006) 1st National Workshop on Juvenile Justice. [Conference Organising Committee Member], 1st National Workshop on Juvenile Justice, Phnom Penh Cambodia , 01-JAN-06 - 31-DEC-06. [Details]
(2006)International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates XVII World Congress,
Donson. F. (2006) Securing Children's Rights in Cambodia. [Oral Presentation], International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates XVII World Congress, Belfast , 27-AUG-06 - 01-SEP-06. [Details]
(2006)Securing Children's Rights in Cambodia - juvenile justice research,
Donson, F; (2006) Securing Children's Rights in Cambodia - juvenile justice research. [Oral Presentation], Securing Children's Rights in Cambodia - juvenile justice research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia , 01-JAN-06 - 31-DEC-06. [Details]
(2001)Legal Intimidation - Big Business and Free Speech,
Donson, F.; (2001) Corporate intimidation and free speech. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Legal Intimidation - Big Business and Free Speech, Faculty of Law, University of Southampton , 28-FEB-01 - 28-FEB-01. [Details]
(2000)Direct Action and Environmental Protest,
Donson, F; (2000) Direct Action and Environmental Protest. [Invited Oral Presentation], Direct Action and Environmental Protest, Roehampton Institute, London , 01-OCT-00 - 01-OCT-00. [Details]
(1995)Making Rights Work,
Donson, F; (1995) Making Rights Work. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Making Rights Work, Cardiff, UK , 01-JAN-95 - 31-DEC-95. [Details]
(1995)Making Rights Work,
Donson, F; (1995) Limiting the Freedom to protest: Legal Responses to Direct Action. [Oral Presentation], Making Rights Work, Cardiff, UK , 01-JAN-95 - 31-DEC-95. [Details]

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
Faculty of Law, UCC Lecturer01-DEC-07 /
DanChurchAid Cambodia Advocacy Coordinator01-JAN-04 / 30-NOV-07
Cardiff University, UK Lecturer01-JAN-94 / 31-DEC-04
Leicester University Lecturer01-SEP-91 / 31-AUG-92
Von Hügel Institute, Cambridge, UK Research Fellow01-JAN-92 / 31-DEC-92
Courts Service of England and Wales Judicial Assistant01-OCT-92 / 15-JAN-93

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
1997King's College, University of London, UK PHDLaw
1989Queen's University, Kingston, Canada LL.MLaw
1988Leicester University, UK Bachelor of Arts/LawLaw

Consultancy

 ClientDescription
BBC Wales
Regular contributor to both TV and radio programs on issue of protest, policing and human rights
Consultant to Community Legal Education Centre, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Working on research project into the complains mechanisms during the 2003 Cambodian National Election
UNICEF
LICADHO Cambodia

Journal Activities

 JournalRoleTo / From
Criminal Law Newsletter First Law Editor01-JAN-08 -
Journal Of Law And Society Referee01-JAN-04 - 31-DEC-08
Criminal Law Review Editor01-JAN-95 - 31-DEC-97

Other Activities

 Description

Research Talks 
Title LocationDate
Direct action and environmental protests  Roehampton Institute, London, UK2000
Legal Intimidation Big business and free speech  Southampton University, UK2001
Securing Children's Rights in Cambodia: research and advocacy work Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2007

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

Criminal Law, Administrative Law (Administrative Justice and Judicial Review), Penology, Criminology

Contact details

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Room 1.63, Aras na Laoi, T12 T656

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