After graduating from Glasgow University I trained as a solicitor with Shepherd+ Wedderburn in Edinburgh. I then spent a year and a half as a qualified solicitor in their Commercial Contracts team, specialising in commercial drafting, IP, IT and data protection issues. In January 2004 I returned to Glasgow University as a teaching assistant, before joining Edinburgh Law School as a lecturer in June 2005.

My teaching and research interests include contract law, commercial law, data protection and IP. I am currently researching the area of personality rights in the UK, focusing on publicity rights for celebrities and private individuals. In particular, my research examines the border between publicity and privacy - can a celebrity commercially exploit publicity while claiming privacy protection? What is the legal basis for protection and promotion of publicity rights? Importantly, should such rights be restricted to celebrities or available to all? My research draws from cases such as Campbell v MGN; Douglas v Hello!; and Irvine v Talksport; as well as empirical and academic work.

In addition to my work on publicity, I am engaged in research in the fields of data protection, e-commerce, consumer protection and contract law.  I would welcome PhD applications from students who wish to research publicity, privacy or e-commerce.