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Professor Alison Mawhinney is a constitutional and human rights lawyer with a specialisation in the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and women's rights. She completed her undergraduate studies at Trinity College Dublin where she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Political Science. She earned a LLM in International Human Rights Law (Distinction) at the University of Essex and a PhD at Queen's University Belfast. From 2006-2010, she was a lecturer at the School of Law, Queen's University Belfast, where she served as Assistant Director of the Human Rights Centre. She joined Â鶹Íø in 2011. From 2019 – 2021, she served as Head of the Law School.

Before joining academia, Professor Mawhinney worked for a variety of bodies in the field of human rights, including the European Court of Human Rights and the Directorate of Human Rights at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. She also worked for the Council of Europe in several of its Balkan field offices (Kosovo; Albania) where she was responsible for the development of human rights and rule of law activities including the development of the Kosovo Ombudsperson Institution, the Kosovo Law Centre, the Albanian Legal Compatibility Project, death penalty reform measures and human rights training for judges, prosecutors and lawyers.

Professor Mawhinney worked for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on several projects in Bosnia-Herzegovina, including as adjudicator on the voting rights of returning refugees following the Dayton Peace Agreement (Visegrad, Republika Srpska; Zenica, Bosnia). She also worked for the UN in North Korea where she was in charge of the assessment and monitoring of aid to hospitals, schools and orphanges in different regions of the country (Hamhung; Sinuju) during the famine of 1997.

At home she has worked in the area of asylum and refugee law for the Irish Refugee Council in Dublin and the Red Cross Refugee Orientation Programme in Belfast, in both instances focussing on cases of unaccompanied women and minors, and applications for family reunification. 

Professor Mawhinney’s main research interests are in the areas of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as the right to health.  She has acted as Principal Investigator on a number of AHRC funded projects including an AHRC inter-disciplinary research network, which examined the statutory duty to hold acts of collective worship in UK schools: Collective Worship & Religious Observance in Schools: An Evaluation of Law and Policy in the UK  http://collectiveschoolworship.com/index.html.  

Other research projects include an AHRC funded investigation into the effectiveness of opt-out provisions in protecting freedom of religion and belief standards in schools:  Opting out of religious education: the views of young people from minority belief backgrounds; and a SLS (Society of Legal Scholars) funded examination of the potential of the experience of Northern Ireland as a successful functioning jurisdiction to inform the future of legal organisation in Wales: 'Small legal jurisdictions in the UK: the legal and practical considerations.'

Professor Mawhinney has regularly presented her work before UN human rights bodies in Geneva, including to the UN Human Rights Committee regarding the protection of religious/belief liberty in the Irish school system. This resulted in a ground-breaking recommendation to Ireland to reform its education system.

In 2016, together with Carys Aaron, she presented a shadow report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, arguing that budget reductions by the UK Government to the Welsh-language public service broadcaster (S4C) failed to respect the language and cultural rights of Welsh children.

Professor Mawhinney has served as an adviser to the Council of Europe’s Group on Human Rights Monitoring in the Field and, in 2017, acted as an adviser to the European Commissioner on Human Rights’ Expert Group on Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/women-s-sexual-and-reproductive-rights-in-europe.

Between 2015 - 2022, Professor Mawhinney was a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Public Policy Advisory Group (PPAG). She has served as an external examiner at the University of Manchester and the Cardiff School of Law and Politics. She regularly acts as a peer reviewer for books and journals including Legal Studies, Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, Education Law Journal, Journal of Law and Religion, Journal of Human Rights, Ashgates Publishers, Routledge, Manchester University Press, Palgrave, and as a grant reviewer for the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Email: a.mawhinney@bangor.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)1248 388204

Location: Room 408, Main Arts Building

Dr Mawhinney teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and is Director of the LLM Programme in International Criminal Law and International Human Rights Law.

Current Undergraduate and Postgraduate Modules

SXL 3110: International Law & Contemporary Issues (module leader)

SXL 3113: Dissertation 

SXL 4042: International Human Rights Law (module leader)

SXL 4052: International Climate Change Law (module leader) 

SXL 4300: Dissertation 

Previous Undergraduate and Postgraduate Modules

SXL 4043: European Human Rights Law (module leader)

SXL 4020: The Law & Devolution in Wales & Europe 

SXL 4009: Legal Research Methods (module leader)

SXL 4134: Law, Religion and Belief (module leader)

SXL 4219: Public Law in Wales

SXL 4218: Administrative Law and Devolution

SXL 1110: Public Law (module leader)

SXL 2134/3134: Law and Religion (module leader)

SXL 2144/3144:  International Human Rights Law (module leader)

Professor Mawhinney’s main research interests are in the areas of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and women's rights, including the right to health. She is also interested in issues of digital exclusion, including the protection of freedom of expression and access to services.  

2022

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A., 2022
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad arall › Cyfraniad Arall

2021

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A., 2021
  Allbwn ymchwil: Llyfr/Adroddiad › Adroddiad Comisiwn

2020

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A., 2020
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad arall › Cyfraniad Arall
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A., 2020
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad arall › Cyfraniad Arall

2019

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A., Gorff 2019.
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gynhadledd › Papur
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A., 2019
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad arall › Cyfraniad Arall

2018

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. (Golygydd) & Cumper, P. (Golygydd), 2018, Peter Lang Publishing.
  Allbwn ymchwil: Llyfr/Adroddiad › Llyfr
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. & Sherlock, A., 2018, Collective Worship and Religious Observance in Schools. Cumper, P. & Mawhinney, A. (gol.). Peter Lang, t. 87-113
  Allbwn ymchwil: Pennod mewn Llyfr/Adroddiad/Trafodion Cynhadledd › Pennod › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A., 31 Ion 2018, Collective Worship and Religious Observance in Schools. Cumper, P. & Mawhinney, A. (gol.). Oxford: Peter Lang Publishing, (Religion, Education and Values; Cyfrol 13).
  Allbwn ymchwil: Pennod mewn Llyfr/Adroddiad/Trafodion Cynhadledd › Pennod › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2017

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. & Aaron, C., Maw 2017, Barn.
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad arall › Cyfraniad Arall

2016

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A., Tach 2016, Yn: Law and Ethics of Human Rights. 10, 2, t. 341-365
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A., 21 Ebr 2016, The Confluence of Law and Religion: Interdisciplinary Reflections on the Work of Norman Doe. Cranmer, F., Hill QC, M., Kenny, C. & Sandberg, R. (gol.). Cambridge University Press, t. 205-218
  Allbwn ymchwil: Pennod mewn Llyfr/Adroddiad/Trafodion Cynhadledd › Pennod › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2015

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. J. (Golygydd) & Cumper, P. (Golygydd), 1 Tach 2015, Unknown Publisher.
  Allbwn ymchwil: Llyfr/Adroddiad › Adroddiad Comisiwn
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. J., 11 Mai 2015, Yn: Journal of Intercultural Studies. 36, 3, t. 291-305
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. J., 5 Chwef 2015, Issues in Religion and Education: Whose Religion?. Beaman, L. G. & Van Arragon, L. (gol.). 2015 gol. Brill, t. 282-303 (International Studies in Religion and Society).
  Allbwn ymchwil: Pennod mewn Llyfr/Adroddiad/Trafodion Cynhadledd › Pennod › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. J., 18 Rhag 2015, International Human Rights: Perspectives from Ireland. Egan, S. (gol.). 2015 gol. Bloomsbury, t. 267-282
  Allbwn ymchwil: Pennod mewn Llyfr/Adroddiad/Trafodion Cynhadledd › Pennod › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2012

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. J., 1 Ion 2012, Yn: International Journal of Children's Rights. 20, 4, t. 603-623
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. J., 1 Ion 2012, The Lautsi Papers: Multidisciplinary Reflections on Religious Symbols in the Public School Classroom. Temperman, J. (gol.). 2012 gol. BRILL/Martinus Nijhoff
  Allbwn ymchwil: Pennod mewn Llyfr/Adroddiad/Trafodion Cynhadledd › Pennod › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. J., Niens, U., Richardson, N. & Chiba, Y., 1 Ion 2012, Religious Freedoms and Education in Europe. Hunter-Henin, M. (gol.). 2012 gol. Ashgate
  Allbwn ymchwil: Pennod mewn Llyfr/Adroddiad/Trafodion Cynhadledd › Pennod › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2011

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. & Griffiths, I., 1 Rhag 2011, Yn: Social and Legal Studies. 20, 4, t. 481-498
  Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid

2009

• Cyhoeddwyd
  Mawhinney, A. J., 1 Ion 2009, VDM Verlag.
  Allbwn ymchwil: Llyfr/Adroddiad › Llyfr

2024

• 2024

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

2022

• Meh 2022

  Gweithgaredd: Mathau o waith ymgysylltu academaidd allanol - Cyfraniad at waith pwyllgorau a gweithgorau cenedlaethol neu ryngwladol (Cyfrannwr)

2021

• 15 Gorff 2021

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

2020

• 2020

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

• 2020

  Gweithgaredd: Mathau o waith ymgysylltu academaidd allanol - Cyfraniad at waith pwyllgorau a gweithgorau cenedlaethol neu ryngwladol (Cyfrannwr)

2019

• Hyd 2019

  Gweithgaredd: Mathau o waith ymgysylltu academaidd allanol - Cyfraniad at waith pwyllgorau a gweithgorau cenedlaethol neu ryngwladol (Cyfrannwr)

• 30 Medi 2019

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

• 29 Maw 2019

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

• 2019

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

• 2019

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

• Religious Education and Freedom of Religion and Belief, Kings College London, organiser

  2019

  Gweithgaredd: Cymryd rhan mewn cynhadledd Academaidd (Siaradwr)

2016

• Hyd 2016

  Gweithgaredd: Mathau o waith ymgysylltu academaidd allanol - Cyfraniad at waith pwyllgorau a gweithgorau cenedlaethol neu ryngwladol (Cyfrannwr)

• Mai 2016

  Gweithgaredd: Mathau o waith ymgysylltu academaidd allanol - Cyfraniad at waith pwyllgorau a gweithgorau cenedlaethol neu ryngwladol (Cyfrannwr)

• 2016

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

2014

• 4 Tach 2014

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

• Meh 2014

  Gweithgaredd: Cyflwyniad llafar (Siaradwr)

• Mai 2014

  Gweithgaredd: Sgwrs wadd (Siaradwr)

• 01/10/2013 – 25/03/2017 (Wedi gorffen)

  Cysylltau:

• 01/05/2012 – 30/09/2013 (Wedi gorffen)

Principal Investigator, AHRC/ESRC Religion and Society Research Programme Award: 'Opting out of religious education: the views of young people from minority belief backgrounds', £80,250.   A multi-disciplinary research team comprised of lawyers, educationalists and social scientists examined the efficacy of international human rights standards in the protection of religious liberty in schools from the perspective of minority belief students, parents and community representatives.

Principal Investigator, AHRC Research Network Grant (Connected Communities Programme) ‘Collective Worship in Schools: An Evaluation of Law and Policy in the UK’, £35,000.  Over a two year period, a multi-disciplinary team of ten academics drawn from Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England examined the existing duty placed on state schools to hold daily acts of collective worship.

Principal Investigator, ESCR Impact Acceleration Award, £13,500. The award enabled a series of events to take place aimed at increasing the impact of the findings and recommendations arising from earlier research work on the rationale and role of the duty of collective worship in schools in the UK.

SLS (Society of Legal Scholars) Research Activities Fund Award: 'Small legal jurisdictions in the UK: the legal and practical considerations', £2,200.   The project aimed to identify the lessons to be learned with regard to the future of legal organisation in Wales from an examination of Northern Ireland as a successful legal jurisdiction within the UK. Empirical research was conducted through interviews with key legal and academic figures in Northern Ireland. 

Membership of Professional Organisations/Networks

Law and Religion Scholars Network

International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies

Society of Legal Scholars

Socio-Legal Studies Association

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Media appearances

"Sunday", Radio 4, Ed Stourton, 12 June 2016, UN Recommendations on Collective Worship in schools / Reform of RE curricula

BBC Wales, "The Jason Mohammed Show", March, 2016: Collective worship in Welsh schools

"Sunday", Radio 4, William Crawley, 6 December 2016, The place of collective worship in UK schools

"Sunday Sequence", BBC Northern Ireland, November 2011, Opt-outs and Religious Education.