Alumni profile - Rowan Hall
(Global Law LLB, Graduate Class 2023)
What particularly attracted me to the course was the high regard that the Department of Law is held in, the chance to be involved in a legal advice centre (not every law student gets this!) and the opportunity to study abroad at some of the world’s leading law schools.
Introduction
I am the Impact Research Fellow at the UCL Constitution Unit. We combine high-quality research into parliament, government, democracy, elections and more with policy impact and it is my job to look after our external engagement. As someone who is interested in both the study and practice of the UK constitution, I really enjoy it!
Before this, I graduated with a degree in Global Law in 2023. This means that I studied law at Queen Mary University of London for three years and on exchange at the University of Toronto for one year.
What was your background before studying your LLB?
I grew up in Shropshire, which is a rural English county on the Welsh border. I went to school there and have A-Levels in English Language, History and Politics.
Why did you choose to study at Queen Mary?
My parents both studied in London (and loved it) and I was keen to go where many of the best opportunities still seem to be in the UK.
What particularly attracted me to the course was the high regard that the Department of Law is held in, the chance to be involved in a legal advice centre (not every law student gets this!) and the opportunity to study abroad at some of the world’s leading law schools.
I also wanted study in places completely different to where I grew up. I love Shropshire, but I would really encourage any 18-year-old to experience what is happening 150 miles, or even 3,500 miles, from their doorstep!
The Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre is not only an amazing resource for if you need legal help, but also a fantastic opportunity for any student to become involved in a great cause.
What were the highlights of studying your programme?
Three highlights from my time at university stand out:
- The Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre is not only an amazing resource for if you need legal help, but also a fantastic opportunity for any student to become involved in a great cause. I was on the support team and, whatever your career goals, the exposure and know-how that you develop mean that I would recommend it to any law student!
- I studied some amazing courses. Not only is Toronto a great city where I met some fantastic people, but the courses there were so well selected, taught and assessed: from Discerning Law in the Fur Trade to Foreign Affairs and the Canadian Constitution! And I also studied some great courses back in London. Street Law provided the opportunity to put the legal knowledge and skills that we had developed so far to good use outside the university. Law and Pharmacology exposed me to a wide range of current and important discussions about topics ranging from the laws regulating drug use to spiking. And I really enjoyed being able to pick and investigate a topic of my own choice for my dissertation, titled ‘Deputising Where Necessary? Some Constitutional Questions Raised by Prime Ministerial Death and Temporary Inability’.
- Diversity is a great strength. One of the best parts of studying in both London and Toronto was the number of people from different countries who I met: I loved being the only Brit in the room (and I have almost exacted my explanation of where Shropshire is!)
What are your plans for the future?
At work, we are keeping a keen eye on the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill, which will remove the right of the remaining hereditary peers to sit in our second chamber.
You can find out more about our work in a range of ways, including on Bluesky (a recent project of mine!): https://bsky.app/profile/conunitucl.bsky.social.
What advice would you offer for future students?
In my (albeit limited) experience, a combination of trying to be nice, doing your best and luck cannot hurt!