Bryan Cowdean, (PhD Researcher)

Bryan's research focuses on the use of the 'Rough Sex Defence' deployed by defence counsel during murder trials. Is the use of this attempted victim blaming purely an extension of the established myths surrounding rape and serious sexual assault in cases dealt with within the UK's judicial systems. The research further probes the various legal theories concerning gender, power, and control.

Bryan's research interests also include the victims' right to access justice; how victims of rape or serious sexual assault are treated within the existing policing and criminal justice system. Also the principal of consent and the use of stangulation.

Bryan is a PhD researcher at the School of Law, University of Ulster, Belfast. He holds a Master's degree in Human Rights and the Criminal Justice Processes (LLM) from Queen's University, Belfast and a Batchelor of Laws degree (LLB) again from Queen's University.

Bryan's teaching interests would include: Human Rights Law; Law surrounding Murder, Rape, Serious sexual assault and consent; Policing in Northern Ireland (Pre and Post Good Friday Agreement); Collusion during times of Conflict and Civil unrest; Climate Law; and Restorative/Transitional Justice.