Chris Simmonds

Chris Simmonds is an Assistant Professor at the Law Department of Northumbria University, affiliated with the Northumbria Law School. He joined the university in 2011, initially as a Solicitor Tutor in the Student Law Office—a multi-award-winning free legal clinic—and currently teaches Housing Law. He also serves as Joint Programme Leader for the Solicitor Higher Apprenticeship at the university. His research focuses on integrating GenAI into legal education and problem-based learning methodologies.

Education:

• LLB (Hons), Northumbria University (2001)
• PGCert, Northumbria University (2014)

Research Interests: Explores the ethical and pedagogical use of GenAI in legal training, housing law practice, and the development of apprenticeship pathways. He emphasizes GenAI as both a teaching tool and a resource for students to enhance legal understanding.

Contributions: Co-authored a peer-reviewed article on solicitor apprenticeships and contributed to the LEAPS impact case study on pedagogic innovation and public service impacts.