Funding
Funded
Post-adoption reunions and rejections: A critical analysis of identity rights and inter-generational impacts in Northern Ireland
School of Law | PHD
Reference Number
ADOPT26
Application Deadline
13 January 2026
Start Date
1 October 2026
Overview
The School of Law is delighted to announce a PhD studentship (subject to contract), funded as a Collaborative Studentship by the Department for the Economy (DfE).
The School of Law is delighted to announce a PhD studentship (subject to contract), funded as a Collaborative Studentship by the Department for the Economy (DfE). The successful candidate will research the topic of ‘Post-adoption reunions and rejections: A critical analysis of identity rights and inter-generational impacts in Northern Ireland’, spending part of their time on placement at Adopt NI as an integral part of their research.
WHAT THE STUDENTSHIP WILL COVER:
• The funded studentship may cover UK tuition fees, plus a DfE stipend, for a maximum of three years. For further details re eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please click on the https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/postgraduate/research-degrees/funding/
• The researcher will, alongside the normal facilities available in the School of Law and the Graduate School, have access to facilities and staff at AdoptNI to develop the research project and analyse the research findings.
To apply, please complete an application form on the Queen’s University Applicant Management Portal including a curriculum vitae (CV) and a proposal of up to 1000 words (including references but excluding bibliography). In the proposal, applicants should demonstrate their understanding of the concepts of child relinquishment, adoption law and policy, and human rights (e.g. to family life and identity). The application should demonstrate an understanding of key legal concepts as well as offering commentary on the research approaches and methods they would wish to use if awarded this studentship.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 13 January 2026 at 16:00 (GMT)
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early February 2026.
Candidates will be notified by mid to end of February of the outcome of their application.
Please insert the code ADOPT26 into the Funding section within your application form.
ELIGIBILITY
• UK studentships – cover tuition fees and include a maintenance stipend per annum, together representing an investment in your education
• A UK studentship is open to UK and ROI nationals, and to EU nationals with settled status in the UK, subject to meeting specific nationality and residency criteria.
• DfE studentship eligibility information (including citizenship and residency criteria) can be viewed here
• Please note this studentship is not available to international students.
• Study can only be undertaken on a full-time basis.
• Qualifications:
• An Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law or another relevant discipline, plus a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) with an average above 60%.
• Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law or another relevant discipline who are currently studying a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will also be considered.
• Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law or another relevant discipline plus evidence of ability to conduct independent and original research will be considered on a case by case basis.
RESEARCH PROJECT
Title: Post-adoption reunions and rejections: A critical analysis of identity rights and inter-generational impacts in Northern Ireland’
Summary: This research project will explore the related concepts of adoptee identity and family life rights in NI, specifically in the context of accessing redacted or sealed records, enabling and navigating reunions or rejections, recent case law involving kin contact, and the way in which laws and policies can regulate and impact upon familial relationships, natal identities, and lifelong adoptee welfare.
The research will be guided by the following research questions:
1) What socio-legal factors spark, enable or perpetuate non-consensual relinquishment/adoption?
2) Is human rights law relevant to the practices (and policies) of adoption?
3) Can origin deprivation be prevented?
Adopt NI is committed to supporting adopted or care-experienced adults and their families, addressing the lifelong impact of adoption or family separation. Based in Belfast, they provide confidential support and services regionally. They also respond to enquiries from other jurisdictions e.g. Australia and the U.S. They are committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to ensuring fair access to their services, embracing the unique backgrounds and perspectives of everyone they support, and fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and respected.
Requirements: The researcher should have sufficient knowledge of the social, legal and policy issues in relation to adoption in Northern Ireland, and an understanding of human rights law and policy, as well as experience of or knowledge of qualitative research methods; this may emerge out of prior studies of or practice in law, but could similarly be demonstrated through study or work in other relevant fields.
Further information: Contact Dr Alice Diver (a.diver@qub.ac.uk)
Funding Information
DfE studentship eligibility information (including citizenship and residency criteria) can be viewed at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/postgraduate/research-degrees/funding/#:~:text=all%20research%20opportunities-,Department,-for%20the%20Economy
Project Summary
Supervisor
Dr Alice Diver
Mode of Study
Full-time: 3 Years
Funding Body
Department for the Economy (DfE)
Law overview
The School of Law has over 100 years of achievement in both education and research. We are ranked as a leading centre for legal research in the UK, and our academics are recognised experts at home and abroad.
We offer PhD supervision across the legal field, supporting a range of approaches, from the doctrinal to the sociolegal, comparative, criminological and critical.
Our doctoral students go to exciting careers, including as academics at law schools across the UK. Our base in Belfast gives us direct contact with the legal profession and judiciary, allowing excellent access in terms of the study of law and legal practice.
We are committed to making doctoral students part of the life of the School of Law and the wider university. We have created a bespoke training programme for new PhDs; more advanced students can avail of training opportunities offered by the School and by the University's Graduate School. Our PhDs can apply for paid teaching experience from their second year; there are also opportunities to get involved in editorial work for the Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly (one of the UK's oldest law journals), or with LawPod, a podcasting venture hosted by the School of Law, or with the student-led Research Network. Funding is available to support students who want to present their work at conferences or expert seminars.
Law Highlights
Industry Links
- The Law School has strong links with the High Court and Court of Appeal, and the Northern Ireland Assembly (all based in Belfast).
World Class Facilities
- A £20 million investment in our School of Law building has created excellent facilities for postgraduate researchers, with access to Queen's Graduate School just minutes away.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- We are extremely proud of our international connections and have staff and students from over 70 countries. Our academics have research links across the world.
Key Facts
Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in relation to the wide range of activities within the School and wider University. You will have access to:
- A student-led Research Network
- The University's Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme
- Office accommodation with computing facilities and support to attend conferences.
- A bespoke School of Law PhD training programme
Course content
Research Information
Research Themes
You will join the 70 PhD students in the School who make up a vibrant postgraduate community contributing to the School’s scholarship and research culture. Research supervision is available in a wide range of legal areas including:
Human Rights: this is a longstanding area of strength within the School, with expert colleagues at all levels and a dedicated Human Rights Centre, which PhDs can join. A human rights conference is held annually, hosted by PhDs, who choose the conference theme and manage the event. Our expertise spans both core and emerging areas of human rights, including gender, health, refugees, equality and non-discrimination, the EU and human rights, conflict and human rights, business and human rights, and new technologies and human rights.
Justice: Justice is a further longstanding area of strength within the School, which has close relations with the University's George Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. Our expertise ranges from transitional justice to criminal justice, with additional strengths in areas such as the legal profession, judicial review and international criminal law.
Law and Governance: Our track record on questions of law and governance is impressive and wide-ranging. We have expertise in commercial, contract and business law, in EU law and governance, and in questions of law and ethics, and law and risk.
Importantly, the School is able to host PhDs across an array of research methods. Our experts use a particularly wide range of legal research methods, allowing us to offer supervision to PhDs that are doctrinal, sociolegal, critical, criminological or oral-history based. We are also able to host interdisciplinary PhDs, working with experts from across Queen's.
We are also delighted to be able to welcome applications in the following emerging areas of legal studies:
- The UK's changing relationship with the European Union (EU)
- Business and human rights
- Heritage, property and culture
- Law and new technologies, from the human right to science, to the legal implicaitons of AI
Career Prospects
Introduction
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as the Future-Ready Award, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes, alongside sterling integration with business experts, helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
For further information on career development opportunities at PhD level, please contact the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Career Development Team on ahssdevoffice@qub.ac.uk / +44 28 9097 5175
Development Officers will be happy to provide further information on your research area career prospects.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/
People teaching you
PhD Coordinator
School of Law
If you have any enquiries, please contact h.kinning@qub.ac.uk
Learning Outcomes
A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field.Undertaking a research degree can enhance a student's written and oral communication skills and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.
Course structure
A PhD is awarded for original research in a topic chosen by the student. PhD studies may be undertaken on a full (3 years) or part-time (6 years) basis.Research students are appointed a primary and secondary supervisor who will guide them through their research.
"The School of Law provides training for PhD law students, covering the necessary aspects for a successful PhD journey. In addition, postgraduate students may sign up for a range of training courses offered by the Graduate School.
Throughout the year, the School of Law also organises seminars and invites scholars from different universities to present their research on a wide range of topics, which postgraduate students are welcome to attend.
Postgraduate students also have opportunities to attend valuable networking events and present research at conferences, enabling PhD students to share their research with peers and receive feedback."
Daniela Janikova
PhD student
This independent research is complemented by programmes of training, provided both by the School of Law and by Queen's Graduate School, which is housed in a beautiful converted building just minutes from the entrance to the School of Law building.
Assessment
Assessment processes for the research degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisors who will provide written and oral feedback.
In addition, a formal assessment process takes place annually. This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.
The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to defend their work orally at a viva voce.
Feedback
Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.
Facilities
Full time PhD students have access to shared office space and access to a desk with personal computer and internet access.http://www.law.qub.ac.uk/VirtualTour/
Entrance requirements
Graduate
An Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in Law or another relevant discipline, plus a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) with an average above 60%.
Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in Law or another relevant discipline who are currently studying a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will also be considered.
Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in Law or another relevant discipline plus evidence of ability to conduct independent and original research will be considered on a case by case basis.
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Tuition Fees
| Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC |
| Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC |
| England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC |
| EU Other 3 | £22,500 |
| International | £22,500 |
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees.
Law costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.
Bench fees
Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.
How do I fund my study?
1.PhD OpportunitiesFind PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.
2.Funded Doctoral Training ProgrammesWe offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.
3.PhD loansThe Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.
4.International ScholarshipsInformation on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.
Funding and Scholarships
The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.
You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.