I’m an ESRC-funded MPhil/PhD student in Law, researching AI-generated image-based sexual abuse. I completed my MRes in Socio-Legal Research at the University of Exeter in September 2024. In July 2023 I graduated from the University of Exeter with my LLB (Hons). I also hold Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience at Memorial University. Throughout my neuroscience degree, I volunteered for a number of organisations, including Easter Seals, Planned Parenthood, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre (now End Sexual Violence NL). My experiences at these organisations have greatly influenced my activism, and inspired me to get involved in the political process, and eventually attend law school. I was appointed to the Premier’s Youth Council in August 2017, and was proud to have completed my one year term on the council. During my time at Memorial University, I also ran for and was elected as Women’s Representative with the students’ union. This opportunity allowed me the chance to be an advocate for women on campus and to provide input on the university’s sexual harassment policy.
During my undergraduate law degree, I had the opportunity to join the Women’s Equality Panel with the Student Guild, and have completed pro bono work with Citizens Advice and the University of Exeter’s Access to Justice Clinic. I was also elected Subject Chair for law with the Exeter Guild. After completion of my final year of law school, I began volunteering with ROMILDAMOR‘s legal team, where I provided legal support to survivors of human trafficking, child marriage and other forms of gender-based violence, and provided additional support to the organisation in the role of Governance Manager.
Research Interests
My doctoral research is a study of legal solutions to protect victims from image-based sexual abuse using AI nudification tools. The research incorporates comparative law and socio-legal methods as well as feminist theory.
My Master’s research focused on the adequacy of the UK law, especially the Online Safety Act, in preventing online sexual abuse with the use of deepfake and AI technologies.
Broadly speaking, I am interested in the intersections of law, technology and feminism.
Courtney’s CV
If you’re interested in my CV, you can view it here.