Dr Nikki Godden-Rasul, Leverhulme Trust Research Fellow

What will your research seek to do?

The project provides an abolition feminist analysis of how, when and why we might use the law to address gendered violence, without relying on carceral institutions and punishment.

Drawing on interviews with feminist and abolitionist activists, organisers, gender-based violence sector workers and lawyers in the UK, the project explores different areas of law, such as civil law and human rights law, and different ways of engaging with law, such as through strategic litigation or legal letter writing. 

How have you found your first year?

The Research Fellowship is for the first 12 months of the project, though the project will extend beyond that. This year I have been doing extensive background research, securing ethics approval, securing project participants and carrying out interviews, data analysis, and lots and lots of writing! 

I’ve also had the time to participate in conferences, with highlights being the Socio-legal Studies Association Annual Conference at Sussex University, the Midlands Conference in Critical Thought at Warwick University, and the International Conference on Gender and Sexuality at the University of Amsterdam. 

What have you got planned for the year ahead? 

I’ll be continuing the data analysis and continuing writing, as the primary output is a book. I’ll also be developing materials and resources with and for activists, organisers and lawyers about engaging with law for feminist and abolitionist ends.

I’m looking forward to getting back to teaching for academic year 26/27, but not looking forward to juggling a wider variety of roles and responsibilities than during the fellowship year. 

Now that you have started your Fellowship, what advice would you give to someone starting something similar?

Have some flexibility with your plans. Some things are bound to change, and it may be that different and exciting opportunities arise that you wouldn’t normally be able to take up.