Louise Ellison

Professor Louise Ellison is a Professor of Law at the University of Leeds, serving as Head of the School of Law within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Her work focuses on Evidence Law, Criminal Law, and Criminal Justice, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary research combining law and psychology. She has held academic positions at the University of Manchester and University of Reading before joining Leeds in 2003.

Her research explores criminal justice responses to gender-based violence, trauma-informed legal processes, and barriers to access to justice for victims with psychosocial disabilities. Key projects include AHRC-funded studies on witness preparation accuracy and ESRC-funded analyses of juror decision-making in rape cases.

Her work critically examines how trauma and mental health intersect with criminal justice systems, advocating for reforms to better support vulnerable victims. She has also contributed to understanding the impact of courtroom technologies (e.g., screens, video evidence) and educational guidance on jury deliberations in sensitive cases.

Professor Ellison is affiliated with the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, Centre for Law and Social Justice, and the Disability Law Hub. She supervises postgraduate researchers and contributes to policy discussions on victim advocacy and legal system improvements.