About
Professor Sharon Cowan holds the Personal Chair of Feminist and Queer Legal Studies at the University of Edinburgh's School of Law, where she has been a faculty member since 2004. Her work bridges Gender and Law, Queer Legal Theory, and Criminal Justice, with a focus on marginalized voices in legal systems.
- LLB (Hons), Strathclyde University
- MPhil in Criminology, University of Cambridge
- PhD, Brunel University
Cowan's research explores the intersection of Law and Asylum Studies, particularly how women seeking asylum based on rape claims navigate the UK Asylum and Immigration Appeal Tribunal. She leads a comparative socio-legal project on transgender legal experiences, funded by the Scottish Government, and co-edits the Scottish Feminist Judgments Project (@ScottishFemJP) with Dr. Chloe Kennedy and Professor Vanessa Munro.
Her recent publications analyze:
- Transgender Rights and legal consciousness in Scotland
- Sexual History Evidence in rape trials
- Rape Shield Legislation implementation
Notable scientific awards:
- Innovation Initiative Grant (2017) - Fostering interdisciplinary legal education
- Outstanding Commitment to Liberation in the Curriculum (2020) - For curriculum decolonization efforts
As a PhD supervisor, Cowan guides research in Transgender Legal Issues, Criminal Law (sex work, domestic violence), and Medical Ethics. She has served in key administrative roles at Edinburgh including Deputy Head of School and Director of the Centre for Law and Society, and collaborates with institutions like the Scottish Refugee Council and Equality and Human Rights Commission.
