Miss Rhianna Dorrian

Rhianna's primary research interests centre on intersectional feminism and criminal law, focusing on how the law can be utilised to combat violence against women and girls.

Their doctoral research examines the criminal liability surrounding domestic abuse-induced suicide (‘DAIS’) in England and Wales. While existing offences within English criminal law provide potential avenues for addressing this issue, their inadequate enforcement has resulted in a de facto void, failing to vindicate victims of abuse who lose their lives to suicide. This research evaluates whether current legal provisions are sufficient or if a specific statutory offence of DAIS would offer a more effective legal response.

Their research is fully funded by the Economic and Social Research Council through the SWDTP.

Rhianna serves as a Centre Administrator for the Centre for Law, Crime and Society within the University, working to expand knowledge of criminal law and its societal impact, with a particular emphasis on advancing intersectional feminist goals to end violence against women and girls.

She is also the Postgraduate Research Ethics Advocate, delivering training and workshops on conducting ethical research. Her approach emphasises trauma-informed methodologies and intersectional feminist principles.