Conor Gearty

Professor Conor Gearty is a leading academic and barrister specializing in human rights law, affiliated with the LSE Law School since 2002. He holds the rank of Professor and serves as Vice-President for Social Sciences at the British Academy. Gearty’s career includes roles at King’s College London and visiting professorships at institutions like Boston University and the University of Sydney. His expertise spans human rights, counter-terrorism, and civil liberties, with a focus on the intersection of law, policy, and democratic governance.

Gearty earned his law degree from University College Dublin and a PhD from Cambridge. His research explores anti-terrorism legal frameworks, the UK Human Rights Act, and global human rights challenges. Notable works include On Fantasy Island: Britain, Europe, and Human Rights and Homeland Insecurity: The Rise and Rise of Global Anti-Terrorism Law. He contributes to public discourse through media commentary and academic writing, advocating for balanced approaches to security and rights.

His awards include honorary QC status, fellowships at the British Academy and Royal Irish Academy, and honorary doctorates from multiple universities. Gearty actively engages in legal practice at Matrix Chambers and co-led LSE’s crowd-sourced UK Constitution project. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary dialogue and the practical impact of human rights principles in modern democracies.