Antonia Porter

Dr. Antonia Porter is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Kent’s Kent Law School. She holds an LLB from the University of Birmingham, an MA in Criminal Justice (Distinction) from Kent, and a PhD (2018) from Kent. Her research focuses on the criminal justice system’s approach to domestic abuse, employing feminist, neoliberal, and therapeutic jurisprudence lenses. She has practiced as a solicitor in criminal defense and prosecution, specializing in rape, serious sexual offenses, and youth justice. Dr. Porter currently represents the Crown Prosecution Service in trials, including domestic abuse cases.

Education:

• LLB, University of Birmingham
• MA Criminal Justice (Distinction), University of Kent
• PhD, University of Kent (2018)

Research Interests: Dr. Porter’s work critiques how the CPS and criminal justice system address domestic abuse. She emphasizes survivor-centric approaches, neoliberal impacts on legal processes, and the role of oral histories. Her methodologies include interviews and focus groups, with a focus on amplifying survivor voices. She has published widely on vulnerability theory, legal consciousness, and procedural justice.

Awards:

• ESRC post-doctoral scholarship (2018–present)

Teaching and Grants: Dr. Porter teaches modules such as Law of Evidence, Criminal Law, and Legal Ethics. Her ESRC-funded research explores prosecutorial practices in domestic abuse cases. She actively contributes to policy debates on domestic abuse through her book Prosecuting Domestic Abuse in Neoliberal Times (2020) and peer-reviewed publications.

Professional Engagement: As a CPS advocate, she prosecutes domestic abuse cases while maintaining academic research. Her work bridges legal practice and scholarship, emphasizing systemic reforms to improve survivor outcomes.