Law researchers are looking at the development of family rights in the UK, analysing the rights available and how they have developed, and how the UK compares with elsewhere in the EU.
The research considers how UK society is changing and whether or not legislation reflects these changes. Findings so far indicate that rights and legislation still tend to be focussed on the traditional family model, predominantly on the role of women as mothers. The researchers aim to help legislation to address these issues more productively, and look at ways to help individuals to engage with their rights.
Dr Maria O'Neill from Dundee Business School is researching EC law in agriculture, in relation to how it interacts with Scottish law and WTO law. There is constant pressure on the European Commission to change the way it interacts with the rest of the world, particularly in the context of the Doha Development Round, the current trade-negotiation round of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which aims to lower trade barriers around the world.
As of 2008, talks have
stalled over a divide on major issues, including agriculture. Research at Abertay is especially interested
in the knock-on effects of these issues on agriculture within the European Commission, and the
findings will help shape governmental policies at a Scottish and UK
level.
Abertay researchers are looking at the wider cultural and political factors that influence relationships in society. Part of this research involves exploring the changing nature of the political elite and equally the changing relationship between this elite and the public - one increasingly framed around the protection of the 'vulnerable public'. Another strand of work at Abertay attempts to explore not what ‘the youth' are doing and thinking, but rather the changing nature of adults and adult-child relationships.
Dr Fiona Gabbert researches applied memory - how our memories work and what we are capable of remembering. This research uses psychology, and existing knowledge of what is known about human memory, to impact on current police witness interview techniques and processes.
Fiona has developed a self-administered interview form, with questions designed to facilitate people’s memories. The research shows that not only do you get information from people faster, but also that the process of completing the form helps you preserve your memory. The form is due to be piloted by the British Transport Police.
The research team includes Elaine Smith from Portsmouth University and world renowned cognitive interview specialist Ron Smith of Florida International University.
Dr Jim Moir is researching media influence, chiefly how the media affects how we see ourselves and wider society.
This research impacts a range of issues including reality TV, children in the media, and children as consumers. It also considers the role of the media in communicating climate change, and how people can be contradictory in terms of their behaviour towards the environment, often because of social pressures.
Other researchers are also looking at how politics is portrayed in the media including new technologies, such as the ability of watch political speeches in real time on BBC iPlayer, and how the public respond and interact.
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