معرفی
Dr. Rebecca Shaw is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Leeds' School of Law (part of the Faculty of Social Sciences). She joined in October 2021 after completing her AHRC-funded PhD at the University of Bristol, focusing on legal-narratological analysis of Augustan Marriage Legislation (18 BC). Her research bridges law, crime, and narrative, centering on how socio-legal and cultural narratives shape legislation and domestic abuse frameworks. She leads projects funded by the ESRC, including collaborations with domestic abuse service providers in West Yorkshire to dissect persistent narratives hindering progress in domestic abuse prevention. Currently, she co-leads the 'Changing the Narrative of Domestic Abuse' initiative with Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police, and schools to integrate narrative education into curricula.
Education:
- PhD in Law and Classics (University of Bristol)
- Bachelors of Law (Hons)
- MA (Hons) Classical Studies and Ancient History
Research Focus: Shaw investigates harmful narratives in domestic abuse contexts, particularly how entrenched stories about victims and perpetrators obstruct legal and societal reform. Her work emphasizes narrative theory’s role in reshaping public discourse and policy. Recent projects include ESRC-funded analyses of frontline service providers’ experiences and strategies for embedding narrative change into government prevention frameworks.
Awards & Affiliations:
- ESRC Impact Acceleration Account Funding (2025)
- ESRC Creating Opportunities through Local Innovation Fellowship
- Research Affiliate, Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre
- Deputy Director, Centre for Criminal Justice Studies
- Deputy Lead, Feminist Research into Violence and Abuse (FRIVA) Network
Teaching & Supervision: Teaches Criminal Law, Gender and the Law, and Evidence modules. Former Module Lead for the LLB Long Dissertation (2023–2025). Supervises undergraduate/postgraduate dissertations. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Collaborations: Partnerships include Leeds Domestic Violence & Abuse Voices Project, West Yorkshire Police, and secondary school educators to develop narrative-focused prevention resources for the Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum.
