From her first steps on campus to her latest contributions to legal scholarship, Dr Courtney Crilly has made the University of Aberdeen School of Law her academic home. Now completing an LLM by Research, she is delving into one of the most pressing and complex issues facing the legal system today: how trauma is perceived, represented, and processed in justice systems.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Aberdeen?
I chose to undertake an LLM by Research degree here because of how much I enjoyed my LLB degree at the University of Aberdeen. The School of Law, Aberdeen beach, and my friends formed a home for me from the moment I first arrived.
What are you studying/ researching and why is it important?
I research the concept of trauma in (criminal) justice processes. How do we perceive, talk about, and present trauma? How do complex social concepts like trauma enter and transform legal frameworks? And how do we bridge subjective lived experiences with objective legal criteria? These are important research questions because bare consideration of them will help to make “the unspeakable” vocal.
What training & support have you received during your studies/research? How has it helped you?
I participated in many training seminars that covered legal methodology across various areas of legal scholarship, academic writing, and interdisciplinarity. The Centre for Scots Law built up my confidence invaluably through their organisation of Early Career Researcher events. The Centre for Constitutional and Private International Law facilitated my attendance at seminars hosted by other universities. And various colleagues have helped me to attend conferences and workshops, loaned me books from their offices, and showed me the ropes with publication records, just to name a few mechanisms of support! All of this helped me to develop my research skills and confidence as an early career researcher.
A very special mention has to go out to Jacquie Simpson (and the wider Counselling Service) for her highly skilled support of me during my studies. No topic is ever “easy” to research, but investigating the relationship between trauma and the law requires sensitivity and awareness, particularly toward oneself and the work that one does. Jacquie helped me to cultivate that attentiveness throughout the research process, and the support tools we have built together are permanent additions to my toolkit!
What do you enjoy most about living and studying in Aberdeen? Do you have any particularly memorable experiences?
I have really enjoyed living five minutes from the beach, as it provides the perfect space to quickly and easily clear my head during intensive research or writing periods.
A particularly memorable experience was during the Annual Academic Development Symposium 2024 while a panellist for a session on inclusion and interdisciplinarity. I stood at a lectern with a mic for the first time that day. I even made a joke and received a full room of laughter in response.
What would you tell someone who is considering studying/research at the University of Aberdeen?
There is a real opportunity here to build yourself a supportive academic environment that encourages innovative thinking without compromising on rigorous standards.
If talking to a group of prospective PhD students, what advice would you give them to help them make the most of their time at the University of Aberdeen?
Keep a critical eye, but also an open mind!
What's next for you?
I plan to continue my research on trauma-informed jurisprudence through PhD study, building on the theoretical foundations I have developed during my LLM by Research degree. In the immediate term, I will continue as a Student Assistant for the Baltimore Summer School 2025 Programme, a role I also held at the University of Aberdeen in 2024.
For more information about LLM by Research Degrees, please visit our website.
