Anna Pathe-Smith

Anna is a Ph.D. Candidate at Royal Holloway, University of London, specialising in the conceptualisation of pregnancy in law and the autonomy of pregnant persons. She is particularly interested in feminist legal theory, ‘personhood’, and reproduction. During her time at RHUL, Anna has provided support for, and organised events on behalf of: the Centre for the Study of Emotion and Law, the Rights and Freedoms Research Cluster, and the Families and Children Research Cluster. She has also taught on modules across the School, including in Law, Criminology and Sociology. Anna also has assisted the Ethics Review Committee with recommendations for post-graduate level research projects. Anna is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Following graduation from the University of Birmingham, Anna completed her LL.M. at University College London, moving on to work as a Legal Assistant in the Court of Protection Department at Freeths L.L.P. She began her doctoral research at RHUL in 2018.

Research

• PhD Working Title: Conceptualisations of Pregnancy in Law: Clarities and Confusions.
• PhD Supervisors: Prof. Jill Marshall and Robert Jago 

The aim of the research is to examine how pregnant women and persons are conceptualised within the law of England and Wales. The research takes a holistic approach, reviewing pregnant women and persons in case law at a variety of junctures within the pregnancy continuum - from conception to birth. The research seeks to understand the obstacles to autonomy and respect for legal personhood which pregnant women and persons experience within law.

PGR Profile: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/research-and-teaching/departments-and-schools/law-and-criminology/research/our-pgr-students/ 

LLB (Hons) 2.1, University of Birmingham, 2014

LLM (Distinction) University College London, 2016