I’m currently an ESRC-funded MRes/PhD student in Law, researching AI-generated pornography. In July 2023 I graduated from the University of Exeter with my LLB (Hons). I received my Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience at Memorial University in May 2019. 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 have the opportunity to provide legal support to survivors of human trafficking, child marriage and other forms of gender-based violence. I continue to volunteer with this organisation today as governance manager.
Research Interests
My Master’s research is focusing 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. My PhD research will be a comparative study of legal solutions to protecting victims from abuse with AI-generated pornography.
Broadly speaking, I am interested in the intersections of law, technology, feminism and neuroscience.
Courtney’s CV
If you’re interested in my CV, you can view it here.