Birmingham City University appoints new Head of Law
Birmingham City University has appointed legal academic and educator Dr Jessica Guth as its new Head of School of Law.
Dr Guth, who has nearly 20 years’ experience researching and lecturing in law, joins Birmingham City University from Leeds Beckett University where she lead on the development of research at its Leeds Law School. While there she also managed the school’s 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission.
Dr Guth began her research career at the Centre for Study of Law and Policy in Europe at the University of Leeds where she spent three years. She took up her first lectureship at the University of Bradford in 2007 where she was soon promoted to Senior Lecturer.
In 2014, Jessica was appointed Head of Bradford’s School of Law, leading a full curriculum review, which included designing new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, before moving to Leeds Beckett in 2016.
With a passion for legal education and a commitment to making it impactful, inclusive and empowering, Jessica has published articles on different aspects of law studies in several journals. She is the Deputy Editor of The Law Teacher: The International Journal of Legal Education. She has also served on the Association of Law Teachers’ executive committee since 2008, including a stint as Chair. She is currently its Recruitment Secretary.
Speaking about her appointment Dr Jessica Guth said: “II am really excited to be joining such a talented and creative team of legal academics at Birmingham City University.
Professor Keith Horton, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences at Birmingham City University, said:
“We’re delighted that Jessica is joining us as our new law school lead. She brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge but just as importantly a teaching philosophy that is firmly focussed on ensuring students enjoy their practice-focused learning experience and in doing so achieve their full potential.”
In addition to her interest in legal studies, Dr Guth’s research covers the role of EU Law and Policy with a focus on the Court of Justice of the European Union. In particular, she is interested in gender and the role it plays in shaping the Court, its actors and its work.
Together with Dr Sanna Elfving from the University of Bradford, Jessica she has published her findings from some of this work in a dedicated book entitled ‘Gender and the Court of Justice of the EU’ as well as contributing several journal articles and book chapters on this subject and the broader role of the Court of Justice of the EU as a political and legal institution.
Away from academia, Dr Guth is a keen runner and she is looking forward to spending time exploring Birmingham as she settles into her new role.