Emma Laurie

Emma Laurie is an Associate Professor in Law at the University of Southampton's Southampton Law School, specializing in residential tenancies across both private and public/social housing sectors. Her academic career at Southampton began in 2002, progressing through various roles to her current position as Associate Professor.

Professor Laurie's research primarily focuses on residential tenancy law and housing law, with particular emphasis on the intersections between private and public housing. She investigates the complex relationship between law and policy in residential tenancies, examining both the creation of legal frameworks and their judicial application in politically sensitive contexts. Her current work addresses critical questions about human rights protections for private sector tenants and the allocation of responsibility for high private rental costs.

Analysis of Professor Laurie's publication record reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory centered on housing law, social security, and judicial processes. Her work demonstrates increasing focus on the tension between private market dynamics and public policy objectives in housing. Key recurring themes include accountability in housing allocation systems, the application of constitutional principles in rental contexts, and the evolving relationship between property rights and social welfare entitlements.

Professor Laurie actively supervises PhD students, currently mentoring Holly Pigott in Law. She has successfully supervised multiple PhD candidates to completion and welcomes new students interested in housing law research. Her teaching portfolio includes the specialized third-year course 'Renting Homes: Law and Policy' which directly reflects her research expertise, as well as foundational contract law instruction.

She is a member of the People, Property, Community research group and maintains an active research agenda that bridges academic scholarship with real-world housing policy challenges. Professor Laurie is currently accepting PhD applications from prospective students interested in housing law research within both private and social rented sectors.