Personal profile
Research interests
Aislinn's research focuses on the interaction of intellectual property law with culture, focusing on the protections or lack thereof which are available to media other than those traditionally covered by intellectual property provisions.
Her current research projects cover the legal mechanisms available for removal of private sexual images from online, technology-based violence, and the interactino between intellectual property rights and digital spaces.
Personal profile
Aislinn has been at Royal Holloway since January 2018, when she joined as a Lecturer in Law.
Prior to joining RHUL, she was a Lecturer in Law at St Mary's University Twickenham, and visiting lecturer at UCL, where she completed her PhD. Her research into copyright for publishers in the face of the digital shift was funded by the Stationers Foundation.
Teaching
Aislinn teaches on a variety of modules on the LLB courses, including English Legal Systems, Methods and Practice, Law of Contract, and Law of Torts.
Educational background
BCL (Law and French) NUI, LLM (International Business Law) NUI, Master I Lyon II, PhD UCL
Education/Academic qualification
Academic Practice, Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Higher Education), St Mary's University Twickenham
Oct 2017 → Oct 2018
Award Date: 21 Nov 2018
Law, LLM, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
11 Sept 2011 → 31 Jul 2012
Award Date: 31 Oct 2012
Law and French, BCL (Hons)
15 Sept 2008 → 15 Jun 2011
Award Date: 9 Sept 2011
Information Studies, PhD, University College London
1 Jan 2013 → 15 Oct 2016
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Crackers, Crisps and Coconut Creams: Trade mark licensing and trade dress in cross-border commercial enterprises
O'Connell, A. & Sunner, L., Aug 2025, (Submitted) Legal Geographies of Intellectual Property. Kheria, S. & Kanelloopoulou, J. (eds.). Edward Elgar, 20 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Deepfake Pornography: legal and human rights responses
Maguire, R., Marshall, J. & O'Connell, A., 2025, (Submitted) Deepfakes and the Law: Challenges, Responses, and Critique. Moosavian, R. & Bennett, T. (eds.). Routledge, 21 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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At the Crossroads: Developing local strategies to support pathways into employment for young people: Phase 2 Report on the Cross-Sectoral Project run by Royal Holloway University of London seeking to improve employment outcomes in our regional area
O'Connell, A. & Henderson, M., 23 Oct 2024, 25 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Image-based Sexual Abuse and Gendered Conceptions of Harm in Tort
O'Connell, A., 26 Mar 2024, Diverse Voices in Tort Law. Horsey, K. (ed.). Bristol University Press, p. 221-244 24 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Coco's Law: Two Years On
O'Connell, A., 10 May 2023, In: Irish Criminal Law Journal. 33, 2, p. 26-37 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Projects
- 3 Finished
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Social Science Impact Accelerator: At the Crossroads: Developing local strategies to support pathways into employment
Henderson, M. (PI), O'Connell, A. (CoI) & Ricketts, J. (CoI)
31/01/24 → 31/01/25
Project: Other
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Teaching Initiative Fund, Students’ pedagogical progress through using laptops in classrooms
Fathi, M. (PI), Barn, R. (CoI), Webster, M. (CoI), O'Connell, A. (CoI) & Cappellini, B. (CoI)
1/09/18 → 31/08/19
Project: Research
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Student Belonging Project
O'Connell, A. (CoI), D'Alton-Harrison, R. (PI), Fathi, M. (CoI), Webster, M. (CoI), Yuratich, D. (CoI) & Brown, S. (CoI)
1/06/18 → 31/05/19
Project: Research
File
Activities
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Association of Law Teachers (External organisation)
O'Connell, A. (Participant)
1 Oct 2025 → 28 Feb 2026Activity: Membership › Membership of peer review panel or committee
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Pixels of Harm: Tackling Image-Based Sexual Abuse in the Digital Age
Hawkes, S. (Speaker), O'Connell, A. (Speaker) & Asser, Z. (Speaker)
4 Sept 2025Activity: Talk, presentation or media contribution › Oral presentation
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Newsbeat: Catfishing
O'Connell, A. (Speaker)
7 Jan 2025Activity: Talk, presentation or media contribution › Participation in a radio programme or podcast
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House of Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee inquiry: Scaling Up: AI and creative tech
O'Connell, A. (Consultant)
Oct 2024Activity: Consultancy and specialist advice › Written evidence
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What is the metaverse and what impacts will it have for society?
O'Connell, A. (Consultant)
19 Jul 2024Activity: Consultancy and specialist advice › Written evidence
Prizes
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College Team Teaching Commendation
O'Connell, A. (Recipient), Yuratich, D. (Recipient), Webster, M. (Recipient), D'Alton-Harrison, R. (Recipient), Canga, P. (Recipient) & Brown, S. (Recipient), 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)