The newly merged School of Law and Social Sciences at Robert Gordon University hosted its first international research conference on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 February. The conference, themed “Law as a Catalyst of Social Development,” brought together researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers from around the world to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange.
Research student Kamo Sende shares some highlights from the conference in this blog.
A Global Platform for Interdisciplinary Research
The inaugural conference proved to be a remarkable success, attracting approximately 130 participants from 15 countries across four continents. Researchers presented their work through both in-person and virtual participation formats, ensuring global accessibility and engagement. The event featured over 40 presentations, delivered as academic papers and poster presentations across five thematic panels, each aligned with the University’s core research areas: Environment and Sustainability, Creative and Inclusive Societies, Health and Wellbeing, Digital Communities, and Pedagogy.
The conference’s guiding philosophy recognised that law does not exist in isolation but serves as a catalyst for social development. As emphasised throughout the event, until legal frameworks are reimagined to serve our shared planet, their utility remains abstract. This perspective formed the foundation of the interdisciplinary approach that characterised the conference.
The conference was organised through collaborative efforts, with myself, Kamo Sende, a Doctoral Researcher at the School of Law and Social Sciences, having the privilege to serve as Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, working alongside talented colleagues.
The Committee comprised a dedicated team of doctoral researchers including Palika Vithana (Head of Content and Co-lead Marketing), Katarina Tasic Dittrich (Head of Programmes), Simi Shoda (Head of Events), Jenny Thompson (Head of Marketing), Nelly Kiragu (Head of Finance and Co-chair), as well as committee members Francis Mbanefo, Joanna Santos Petiot, Hannah Johnstone, Idasemiebi Idaminabo, Blessing Bulaun, and Blessing Abeji.
Student Union President Seth Odei also provided valuable support, alongside conference volunteers Hayford Mensah, Hayford Appiah, and Sarah Bradshaw. Dr Uche Iloka, Research Degrees Coordinator at the School of Law and Social Sciences, served as the conference convener, together with co-convener Dr Judith Oloo.
The planning team also benefited from the guidance of Dr Sarah Sivers (Associate Dean Research), Dr Joseph Mante (Principal Lecturer Research), and Dr Katrina Forbes-McKay (Research Degrees Coordinator), all from the School of Law and Social Sciences. This doctoral student-led initiative provided a unique platform where diverse perspectives could interact and inform each other. Interested readers can explore the rich diversity of research topics and speaker profiles in the conference programme.
Distinguished Insights and Thematic Explorations
The conference featured three distinguished keynote speakers who brought diverse perspectives to the discussion. Michael Watson, Head of Climate Advisory at Pinsent Masons, delivered the opening keynote, setting the tone for discussions around environmental sustainability and legal frameworks that can drive positive climate action. Dr Adaeze Afezulike MBE, Regional Director of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and a practising lifestyle medicine physician, addressed the critical intersection of health, wellbeing, and legal structures in her keynote presentation.
On the second day, The Rt Honourable Stephen Flynn, SNP Group Leader in Westminster and Aberdeen’s Member of Parliament, delivered a keynote that thoughtfully connected parliamentary work with research applications, highlighting the vital relationship between academic inquiry and policy development. At the conference dinner hosted at the Sandman Hotel, John Clifford, Dean of the School of Law and Social Sciences, presented a keynote examining whether law operates proactively or reactively in social development. His presentation analysed two areas from Delict/Tort Law: Liability and Negligent Driving, and the Doctrine of Vicarious Liability and Demarcating Responsibility, considering both historical and contemporary developments in these fields.
Each panel session delved into one of the University’s core research themes, generating valuable insights and identifying areas requiring further investigation. Rapporteurs from each panel presented summaries focused on three key areas: most striking findings, most significant impacts, and areas needing deeper investigation. Several recurrent themes emerged across presentations, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration in academia, collaboration with industry partners, and collaboration with policymakers.
Presentations in the Environment and Sustainability theme highlighted research on the necessity for climate action by all nations. Discussions emphasised the need for legal frameworks that facilitate sustainable practices and environmental protection across sectors. Research presented in the Creative and Inclusive Societies theme revealed staggering statistics about water usage in Europe, suggesting the importance of legal structures that foster resource conservation and social equity. The Digital Communities and Pedagogy theme examined issues around data usage and rights in Europe and around the world, exploring both opportunities and challenges in creating equitable, accessible digital communities.
The Health and Wellbeing theme explored the intersection of legal frameworks and public health, with particular attention to how legislation can promote positive lifestyle choices and support community wellbeing. Research presented in the Creative and Inclusive Societies theme also examined issues including electoral violence in developing countries, suggesting the importance of legal structures that foster democratic stability and social inclusion.
Policy Impact and Future Directions
A distinctive feature of the conference was its emphasis on practical application and policy relevance. The second day featured a roundtable discussion that brought researchers into direct conversation with policymakers and industry representatives. This session, anchored by David Christie (Associate Dean for Academic Development and Student Experience) and Dr Natascha Mueller-Hirth (Associate Dean for Economic, Social and Cultural aspects), created a valuable forum for exploring how research can effectively inform policy development.
Participants in this policy roundtable included Caroline Hood, Executive Team Member at Nestrans, representing the transport industry; Dr Alistair Baker, College Principal at ICRGU, representing the education sector; Dr Mark Osa Igiehon, CEO of Aberdeen Commercial Consulting, Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, and a Clergy; Hon Mariah Ichakpa, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament representing Aberdeen Central; and The Rt Hon Stephen Flynn, Leader of the SNP and Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South. The discussion highlighted pathways for strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and government to drive evidence-based policy reforms.
The conference also showcased industry innovation, with Roger Connon, Head of Energy for Vario at Pinsent Masons, introducing attendees to innovative legal approaches being developed in the energy sector. The conference culminated in a call to action that emerged from the collective insights of all panel sessions, emphasising the need to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration within academia, strengthen partnerships with industry, and advocate for legal reforms through government partnerships. These directives recognise that effective social development requires cooperation across sectors, with law serving as a connecting framework that can either enable or constrain progress.
Beyond the formal presentations and discussions, the conference created valuable opportunities for networking and community building. The conference dinner at the Sandman Hotel provided participants with a chance to engage in informal conversations, develop professional connections, and explore potential collaborations. This social dimension of the conference complemented its academic focus, recognising that relationship-building is an essential component of effective interdisciplinary work.
As the first international research conference of the unified School of Law and Social Sciences, SLSS2025 has established a strong foundation for future scholarly exchange. By bringing together diverse perspectives around the theme of “Law as a Catalyst of Social Development,” the conference has initiated important conversations that will continue to evolve in the coming years. The interdisciplinary approach modelled during the conference reflects a recognition that today’s most pressing social challenges cannot be addressed through siloed thinking. Instead, they require collaborative approaches that draw on diverse forms of expertise and experience.
As RGU continues to develop its research profile across its five core themes, the insights generated during this conference will undoubtedly inform and inspire future work. This sentiment was eloquently expressed by Professor Nick Fyfe (VP Research) in his opening remarks and reinforced by Professor Sarah Pedersen (Dean, Graduate School) during the ceremony. The connections established between researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers create pathways for impact that extend far beyond the conference itself. The inaugural SLSS International Research Conference has demonstrated the power of bringing together diverse perspectives around a shared commitment to understanding how law can better serve as a catalyst for positive social development. As we look to the future, the conversations begun during this conference will continue to evolve, contributing to both scholarly understanding and practical application in ways that benefit our shared society.
Kamo Sende
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