معرفی
Helen Howard is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Teesside University's Department of Law, Policing and Investigation, within the School of Social Sciences, Heritage and Law (SSSHL). She teaches criminal law and medical law, with a focus on mental condition defences and criminal justice system reforms. Her research engages with the Law Commission and Ministry of Justice on issues like insanity, diminished responsibility, and unfitness to plead. She holds a PhD from Teesside University (2022), focusing on the role of mentally vulnerable defendants in criminal justice.
Education:
- Bachelor of Law (LLB), Durham University
- Master of Jurisprudence (MJur), Durham University (2002)
- Doctorate (PhD), Teesside University (2022)
Research Interests: Helen’s work centers on criminal law theory, mental health in legal contexts, and systemic reforms. She has contributed to Law Commission reports, including Unfitness to Plead: Final Report (2016) and Criminal Liability: Insanity and Automatism (2013). Her research on infanticide law and vulnerable defendants has been widely cited and informs policy discussions.
Collaborations: Helen collaborates with Cleveland Police, Teesside University Policing Clinic, and NHS Liaison teams on projects addressing effective participation in youth courts and neuroscience's role in legal processes. Her empirical studies on North East England’s mentally vulnerable defendants have engaged legal professionals, magistrates, and charities.
Publications: Her work spans peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including analyses of infanticide legislation and the role of diversion programs in magistrates’ courts. Recent contributions include a 2023 chapter in 100 Years of the Infanticide Act.
