Professor Conor Gearty FBA

The theory, law and practice of human rights; the law and practice of civil liberties; the study of terrorism in all its legal, political, historical and international relations aspects
Fellow type
UK Fellow
Year elected
2010
Year of death
2025
Subjects
Law
Sections
Law

Summary

Conor Gearty was born in Ireland and educated at University College Dublin and Cambridge. He taught law at Cambridge, King's College London, and LSE and wrote extensively on human rights, terrorism and civil liberties.

His book 'Liberty and Security' (2013) developed the idea of 'neo-democracy' to explain democracy in a neo-liberal age. Scholarly publications in the 'British Journal of Criminology' and the 'European Law Journal' developed this theme.

His book analysing Britain's relationship with the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights, 'On Fantasy Island: Britain, Europe and Human Rights'was published in October 2016. Professor Gearty was also a barrister, practising law at Matrix Chambers.

10-Minute Talks: COVID-19 public inquiry – a case of when, not if?

9 Sep 2020 Professor Conor Gearty FBA

Professor Conor Gearty FBA asks whether there will be a public inquiry for the way in which the virus has played out in Britain and if so, what shape it will take.

Last post

Professor of Human Rights Law, London School of Economics

Past appointments

London School of Economics and Political Science University of London Professor of Human Rights Law

2016 -

Publications

On Fantasy Island: Britan, Strasbourg and Human Rights

Conor Gearty - Published in 2016 by Oxford University Press

Liberty and Security

Conor Gearty - Published in 2013 by Polity

The Meanings of Rights

Edited by Costas Douzinas and Conor Gearty - Published in 2014 by Cambridge University Press

Other Fellows of the British Academy

Professor Francis Reynolds FBA

Q.C.(Hon.); law of agency and international commercial law.

francis-reynolds.jpg

Professor Hector MacQueen FBA

Law Private Law (Contract, Restitution, Tort) Legal History Intellectual Property and Information Law Scots Law Private Law (Property, Equity, Trusts) Private Law (Family, Persons)

hector-macqueen.jpg

Professor Michael Lobban FBA

The history of eighteenth and nineteenth century English law and lawyers, with a special focus on the relationship between doctrine, institutions and legal and political thought

michael-lobban.jpg

Sign up to our email newsletters

Join our mailing list to explore the ideas and impact of the British Academy. Get updates on research, funding, policy, international collaborations, and events that bring the humanities and social sciences to life.