Mark Simpson

Dr. Mark Simpson is a Senior Lecturer in Law and Research Director for Law at Ulster University’s School of Law. He specializes in interdisciplinary research on social security law, poverty, and human rights obligations within the UK’s devolved governance structures.

• Education: LLB and LLM in Environmental Law from Queen’s University Belfast
• 2016 PhD graduate at Ulster University

His research focuses on social security law in the context of welfare conditionality, poverty, and constitutional tensions between central government and devolved administrations. He is particularly known for his work on Scotland’s devolved social security powers and legal protections for destitute individuals.

Mark has authored 50 research outputs and co-led impact case studies contributing to Ulster University’s REF2021 submission, where 46% of Law unit outputs were deemed world-leading. His work with the Scottish Commission on Social Security and various UK welfare reviews demonstrates practical influence.

• £1.1M Nuffield Foundation-funded study on devolved UK social security
• Appointed to Scottish Commission on Social Security (2019-2024)
• Key role in Independent review of welfare mitigations (2021)

He supervises PhD students in Law and Social Justice, Public Law, and Human Rights Law, with expertise spanning social security law, devolution, and environmental law.