Dr Katie Boyle

Associate Professor Int Human Rights Law

Law Stirling

Contact details

Email katie.boyle@stir.ac.uk
Telephone+44 (0)1786 467279

0000-0002-5078-8620

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About me

Dr Katie Boyle is Associate Professor in International Human Rights Law. Her research address violations of economic, social and cultural rights. ESC rights relate to issues such as housing, health care, education, employment and social security.

Dr Boyle is currently Principal Investigator leading a UK wide project funded by the Nuffield Foundation (£338,000.00) to examine the accountability gap in access to justice for social rights in each of the UK's jurisdictions.

Katie was appointed as an expert on the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership. The group's remit was to consider how Scotland can be an international leader in human rights and their recommendations are being implemented by a National Task Force. Katie advises the National Task Force as a member of their Academic Advisory Panel. Other recent expert appointments include Scotland's UNCRC Incorporation Advisory Group and working with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing on access to justice issues.

Dr Boyle has worked nationally and internationally on ESC rights during periods of constitutional transition including work funded by the British Academy in Colombia and Brazil. Her research is now being translated into Spanish as part of the Chilean constitutional referendum process. Her work has featured in reporting procedures to the UN and she has worked with national human rights institutions, including most recently with the Scottish Human Rights Commission on a project exploring the incorporation of international human rights law in Scotland. This work was endorsed by the Chair of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Virginia-Bras Gomez.

Prior to joining Stirling Katie qualified as a constitutional lawyer with the Government Legal Service for Scotland before completing a PhD at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Previous appointments include ESRC Research Fellow, Centre for Constitutional Change at the University of Edinburgh and Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Roehampton, London.

Funded projects:

Nuffield Foundation 2019-2022 Access to Justice: Addressing the Accountability Gap

Scottish Human Rights Commission 2018-2019 Incorporation of International Human Rights into Domestic Law

Economic and Social Research Council 2016-2017 Human Rights in Transition: Impact for the UK in a Changing Europe

Research

Dr Boyle's research interests engage with the theory and practice of human rights, in particular economic and social rights. Economic and social rights relate to issues such as housing, health care, education, employment and social security. Violations of the rights tend to impact on the most vulnerable in society, including women, children, ethnic minorities, the disabled and the elderly among other minority groups. Her research focusses on how rights can be made legally enforceable, in particular through formal legalisation, incorporation (embedding international law domestically) and justiciabiity (adjudication in court). Her monograph, entitled "Economic and Social Rights Law: Incorporation, Justiciability and Principles of Adjudication" was published with Routledge in 2019. The monograph draws on principles of deliberative democracy theory that address the critiques of social rights adjudication. This work acts as a theoretical and practical foundation to further explore how to better support access to justice for violations of rights.

Following on from this work Katie secured funding from the Nuffield Foundation to lead a UK wide project on Access to Justice for Social Rights: Addressing the Accountability Gap (2019-2022 £338,000.00). https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/access-justice-social-rights-addressing-accountability-gap

This project examines the accountability gap in access to justice for social rights in each of the UK's jurisdictions. It considers what kind of barriers are faced when people experience violations of the right to an adequate standard of living - including in relation to housing, social security, food and fuel poverty. The results of this research will seek to address gaps in theory and practice around enhancing access to justice as well as questioning what the conception of 'justice' means in the context of social rights.

The practical impact of Katie's research can be seen in proposed reform of law and policy around the enforcement of rights. For example, the research features in the recommendations of the First Minister's Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership, the UNCRC Incorporation Advisory Group and the publications and strategies of human rights institutions, especially the recent reports published with the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

Dr Boyle's research has been funded through a number of competitive funding streams including the Nuffield Foundation, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Consortium.

Outputs (27)

Outputs

Book Chapter

Principles of ESR Adjudication

Boyle K (2020) Principles of ESR Adjudication. In: Economic and Social Rights Law: Incorporation, Justiciability and Principles of Adjudication. Routledge Research in Human Rights Law. London: Routledge, pp. 1-45. https://www.routledge.com/Economic-and-Social-Rights-Law-Incorporation-Justiciability-and-Principles/Boyle/p/book/9781138298880

Monograph

Economic and Social Rights Law: Incorporation, Justiciability and Principles of Adjudication

Boyle K (2020) Economic and Social Rights Law: Incorporation, Justiciability and Principles of Adjudication. Routledge Research in Human Rights Law. Abingdon: Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group. https://www.routledge.com/Economic-and-Social-Rights-Law-Incorporation-Justiciability-and-Principles/Boyle/p/book/9781138298880

Book Chapter

Constitutionalising a Social Minimum as a Minimum Core

Boyle K (2019) Constitutionalising a Social Minimum as a Minimum Core. In: Kotkas T, Leijten I & Pennings F (eds.) Specifying and Securing a Social Minimum in the Battle Against Poverty. Human Rights Law in Perspective. London: Hart Publishing, pp. 261-280. https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/specifying-and-securing-a-social-minimum-in-the-battle-against-poverty-9781509926046/

Article

The First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership: A New Path Forward on Incorporation of Economic, Social Cultural and Environmental Rights

Boyle K (2019) The First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership: A New Path Forward on Incorporation of Economic, Social Cultural and Environmental Rights. European Human Rights Law Review.

Article

The Future of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Scotland: Prospects for Meaningful Enforcement

Boyle K (2019) The Future of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Scotland: Prospects for Meaningful Enforcement. Edinburgh Law Review, 23 (1), pp. 110-116. https://doi.org/10.3366/elr.2019.0531

Article

The Complexities of Human Rights and Constitutional Reform in the United Kingdom; Brexit and a Delayed Bill of Rights: Informing (on) the Process

Boyle K & Cochrane L (2018) The Complexities of Human Rights and Constitutional Reform in the United Kingdom; Brexit and a Delayed Bill of Rights: Informing (on) the Process. Northwestern Journal of Human Rights, 16 (1), pp. 22-46. https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/njihr/vol16/iss1/2

Article

Identifying routes to remedy for violations of economic, social and cultural rights

Boyle K & Hughes E (2018) Identifying routes to remedy for violations of economic, social and cultural rights. The International Journal of Human Rights, 22 (1), pp. 43-69. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2017.1390304

Policy Document

Models of Incorporation and Justiciability for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Boyle K (2018) Models of Incorporation and Justiciability for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Scottish Human Rights Commission. Edinburgh. http://www.scottishhumanrights.com/media/1809/models_of_incorporation_escr_vfinal_nov18.pdf

Policy Document

Submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on Implications of EU (Withdrawal) Bill

Boyle K (2017) Submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on Implications of EU (Withdrawal) Bill. UK Parliament. EUB0018. London: UK Parliament. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt201719/jtselect/jtrights/774/77407.htm#_idTextAnchor005

Book Chapter

A Tale of Two Referendums: Scotland, the UK and Europe

Boyle K & Tierney S (2016) A Tale of Two Referendums: Scotland, the UK and Europe. In: Birkinshaw P & Biondi A (eds.) Britain Alone: The Implications and Consequences of United Kingdom Exit from the EU. European Monographs, 96. Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands: Kluwer Law International. https://lrus.wolterskluwer.com/store/product/britain-alone-the-implications-and-consequences-of-united-kingdom-exit-from-the-eu/

Article

Re-conceptualising Socio-economic Rights in Transitional Justice Societies

Boyle K (2016) Re-conceptualising Socio-economic Rights in Transitional Justice Societies. Journal of Law, Social Justice and Global Development, 20 (2). https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/law/elj/lgd/lgd_issue_2016_2/katie_boyle_2016_2.pdf

Policy Document

Submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on Human Rights Implications of Brexit

Boyle K (2016) Submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on Human Rights Implications of Brexit. House of Lords and House of Commons. HBR0042. London: UK Parliament. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt201617/jtselect/jtrights/695/695.pdf

Website Content

Brexit and a British Bill of Rights: Four Scenarios for Human Rights

Boyle K & Cochrane L (2016) Brexit and a British Bill of Rights: Four Scenarios for Human Rights. [Blog Post] 17.05.2016. http://ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/brexit-and-a-british-bill-of-rights-four-scenarios-for-human-rights/

Website Content

The legitimacy of the EU referendum requires that citizens are informed of the implications of their decision

Boyle K (2016) The legitimacy of the EU referendum requires that citizens are informed of the implications of their decision. [Blog Post] 22.04.2016. http://www.democraticaudit.com/2016/04/22/the-legitimacy-of-the-eu-referendum-requires-that-citizens-are-informed-of-the-implications-of-their-decision/

Website Content

What are the consequences for human rights if we change our relationship with Europe?

Boyle K (2016) What are the consequences for human rights if we change our relationship with Europe?. [Blog Post] 13.04.2016. http://ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/what-are-the-consequences-for-human-rights-if-we-change-our-relationship-with-the-eu/

Website Content

Rights Derived from EU Law: Informing the Referendum Process

Boyle K & Cochrane L (2016) Rights Derived from EU Law: Informing the Referendum Process. [Blog Post] 13.04.2016. https://ukconstitutionallaw.org/2016/04/13/katie-boyle-and-leanne-cochrane-rights-derived-from-eu-law-informing-the-referendum-process/

Book Chapter

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Northern Ireland: Legitimate and Viable Justiciability Mechanisms for a Conflicted Democracy

Boyle K (2015) Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Northern Ireland: Legitimate and Viable Justiciability Mechanisms for a Conflicted Democracy. In: Diver A & Miller J (eds.) Justiciability of Human Rights Law in Domestic Jurisdictions. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, pp. 173-195. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24016-9_8

Research Report

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Scotland

Boyle K (2015) Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Scotland. Scottish Human Rights Commission. Briefing Paper. Edinburgh. http://www.scottishhumanrights.com/economic-social-cultural-rights/

Policy Document

Submission to the Scottish European and External Affairs Committee on implications of repeal of Human Rights Act in Scotland

Boyle K (2015) Submission to the Scottish European and External Affairs Committee on implications of repeal of Human Rights Act in Scotland. The Scottish Parliament. Edinburgh: Scottish Parliament. http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/94228.aspx

Research Report

Is Britain Fairer?: The State of Equality and Human Rights in Britain

Equality and Human Rights Commission (2015) Is Britain Fairer?: The State of Equality and Human Rights in Britain. Boyle K (Data Manager) Equality and Human Rights Commission. Manchester. https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/britain-fairer-2015

Research Report

An Independent Scotland: The Road to Membership of the European Union

Tierney S & Boyle K (2014) An Independent Scotland: The Road to Membership of the European Union. Economic and Social Research Council. Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh. https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/publications/research-briefings/independent-scotland-road-membership-european-union

Website Content

Human Rights in Transition: The Proposed Interim Constitution for Scotland

Tierney S & Boyle K (2014) Human Rights in Transition: The Proposed Interim Constitution for Scotland. [Blog Post] 04.08.2014. https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/publications/research-briefings/human-rights-transition-proposed-interim-constitution-scotland

Article

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Ireland: Models of Constitutionalisation

Boyle K (2014) Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Ireland: Models of Constitutionalisation. Irish Community Development Law Journal, 3 (1), pp. 33-48. http://www.communitylawandmediation.ie/irish-community-development-law-journal/volume-3-issue-1-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-in-practice.564.html

Website Content

Scotland in Transition: the Scottish Government's Proposed Interim Constitution and the Scottish Independence Bill

Boyle K (2014) Scotland in Transition: the Scottish Government's Proposed Interim Constitution and the Scottish Independence Bill. [Blog Post] 21.06.2014. https://ukconstitutionallaw.org/2014/06/21/katie-boyle-scotland-in-transition-the-scottish-governments-proposed-interim-constitution-and-the-scottish-independence-bill/

Website Content

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Ireland – Why the Constitution?

Boyle K (2014) Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Ireland – Why the Constitution?. [Blog Post] 19.02.2014.

Website Content

Yes or no, 2014′s Scotland referendum carries significant constitutional implications

Tierney S & Boyle K (2013) Yes or no, 2014′s Scotland referendum carries significant constitutional implications. [Blog Post] 08.11.2013. http://www.democraticaudit.com/2013/11/08/yes-or-no-2014s-independence-referendum-carries-real-constitutional-implications/

Authored Book

An Explanation of the Legal Arguments for the Inclusion of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Irish Constitution

Boyle K (2013) An Explanation of the Legal Arguments for the Inclusion of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Irish Constitution. Ireland: Constitutional Convention.

Teaching

Dr Boyle is co-director of the MSc in Human Rights and Diplomacy. This is an interdisciplinary Masters taught in conjunction with the UN Institute for Training and Research and is desinged to prepare future leaders in the field through an intense programme taught by the leading researchers and practitioners from across the globe.

Previous subjects taught include the Comparative Protection of International Human Rights (postgraduate Masters level); Public Law; Constitutional Law; Civil Liberties; Human Rights Law at International, Regional (EU and Council of Europe), National (both Ireland and the UK) and devolved level (Human Rights at sub-state level - Scotland and Northern Ireland); Human Rights for Community Development; Land Law; Company Law (to the Revenue Commissioners); Music and the Law including Intellectual Property (Masters Level); Lawyering Skills (negotiation, mediation, advocacy, legal drafting, advocacy and pleadings); Law of the European Union; and Medical Law.

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Dr Katie Boyle

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Outputs (27)

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