Research Interests
My research specialism is information rights: both the commercial and fundamental rights aspects of privacy and data protection particularly in the context of technology e.g. big data, biometrics, cloud computing and social media, and also Freedom of Information, as an aspect of public law. I also have an interest in the role technology can play in promoting and facilitating democracy, protest and expression. My PhD (sponsored by the ESRC and UK Information Commissioners Office) examined the concept of ‘private’ data.
I am interested in supervising research students in all areas of privacy and data protection, freedom of information, and other legal aspects of information technology, such as the use of social media technologies to promote e-democracy and freedom of expression.
Professional Activities
- Invited expert, UKAN: Anonymisation & Privacy Expert Community Workshop, 29th June 2018.
- Co-hosted with Dr Olivia Tambou (University Paris Dauphine) an E-Conference on National Adaptations to the GDPR on Blogdroiteuropéen (4th-20th June 2018)
- Invited expert, UKAN: The Anonymisation Decision-making Framework: User Community Workshop, 26th April 2018
- Invited expert, ESRC and ICO Workshop 2: on Managing social science research under GDPR, London, 18th April 2018.
- Invited Speaker, National Association of Data Protection Officers (NADPO), London, 27 March 2018.
- Invited expert, ESRC and ICO Workshop 1: on Managing social science research under GDPR, Manchester, 14th March 2018.
- Invited workshop participant, My healthy future: adolescent health, PHG Foundation, Cambridge, 12 March 2018.
- Author of collaborative response (sponsored by BILETA) to response to Department of Media, Culture & Sports DCMS Call for views on the General Data Protection Regulation derogations, May 2017.
Invited Panellist, Data Protection After Brexit, Computers, Privacy & Data Protection 10th Annual Conference, Brussels, 25-27 January 2017. - Invited Speaker, Brexit: Datat Protection Implications for the Digital Technology Sector, at CIPPM Annual Symposium, Bournemouth University, 3rd November 2016.
- Guest Editor of International Review of Law, Computers & Technology, Vol 29, Iss. 1, special edition containing papers presented at the 29th Annual BILETA Conference
- Co-editor (with Dr Daithí Mac Síthigh) of Scripted Vol. 11, Iss. 3, special edition of papers from 29th Annual BILETA conference.
- Host and Organiser of 29th Annual BILETA Conference (14-16th April 2014) Hosted at UEA, Norwich.
- Host and Co-Organiser of Gikii VII Conference (17-18th Sept 2012) Hosted at UEA London.
- Invited plenary speaker: “Stead - a reflection on the development of investigative journalism in the UK” (16-17thApril 2012) WT Stead Centenary Conference for a Newspaper Revolutionary, British Library Conference Centre, London.
- Lead author of collaborative response to EU Commission on Public Consultation on Cloud Computing. (2011) Funded by the Information Technology Think Tank, which is supported by the Arts & Humanities Research Council and led by the SCRIPT/AHRC Centre for Research and Intellectual Property and Technology, University of Edinburgh.
Engagement
- Blog Post, Working Paper: National Adaptations of the GDPR- The UK Data Protection Act, Blogdroiteuropéen and reproduced by permission for InformationSocietyPolicy@UEA (20.06.18).
- Radio Interview: BBC Radio Ulster - news interview discussing the potential legal implications of media and social media reporting during the trial of high profile defendants (Ulster and Ireland Rugby players). (29.03.18)
- Radio Interview: BBC Radio Foyle - news interview discussing the potential legal implications (open justice, contempt, impact on jurors) of media and social media reporting during the trial of high profile defendants (Ulster and Ireland Rugby players).(29.03.18)
- The Law Society Gazette, (quotes Karen Mc Cullagh) Snooping could threaten post Brexit data law, (29.08.17)
- BBC, Chris Baraniuk (quotes Karen Mc Cullagh) Brexit: UK seeks data transfer pact with the EU, (24.08.17)
- Radio Interview (2nd Feb 2016, BBC Radio Norfolk with Nick Conrad) - news interview discussing the potential legal implications of impersonating businesses or individuals on social media.
- Norfolk & Norwich Law Society, 'Data Protection Update,' 30th October 2014
- Radio Interview (15th August 2014, BBC Radio Norfolk with Nicky Price) - discussing the electoral register, the privacy and data protection implications of being on the register and how to opt-out from the open register.
- Radio Interview (2nd June 2014, BBC Radio Berkshire with Andrew Peach) - discussing the implications of a data disclosue by South Central Ambulance Service.
- Radio Interview (2nd June 2014, BBC Oxford with Phil Gayle) - discussing the implications of a data protection breach by an employer and how the law could be reformed.
- Radio Interview (22nd March 2014, BBC Radio Norfolk) – explaining a warning issued by Norfolk & Norwich Constabulary about young men being blackmailed when sharing explicit images online
- Radio interview (20th November 2013, BBC Radio Norfolk ‘On Air’) - discussing the Emma Way case - the first UK case in which an individual was prosecuted as a result of a self-incriminating tweet.
- Radio Interview (29th November 2012, BBC Radio Norfolk) - Leveson Report