Dr Katrina Miles
Lecturer in Law and Criminology
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
Research Area(s): Criminal Law, Children’s Rights
Education:
Katrina graduated from the University of Liverpool with a first class LLB (Hons) degree in 2016 and an LLM degree in Medical Law (Distinction) in 2017. She then joined Liverpool’s School of Law and Social Justice as a PhD candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant in September 2017. Her PhD was awarded in 2023.
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Research Experience:
Katrina is currently completing her PhD 'The Legal Regulation of Teenage Sexting and Youth Produced Sexual Imagery'. Her research explores the contrasting notions of a child’s right to be protected from all forms of harm and exploitation with their right to develop and explore their body and sexuality both on and offline.
Katrina has previously worked as a Research Intern (University of Liverpool) and subsequently a Research Assistant (University of Liverpool) on a project entitled ‘Child Sexual Exploitation: Towards a Child Centred Protection System’. The project brought together a range of frontline Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) officials to establish methods of best practice in responding to CSE.
Since starting her PhD in 2017, Katrina has also taught on both Tort Law and Criminal Law modules.
Katrina has contributed to Liverpool University's European Children's Rights's Unit (ECRU) COVID-19 project that has provided a series of briefing papers outlining the impact of COVID-19 on different aspects of children's lives. Katrina is also the organisation lead for the University of Liverpool's Young Person's Advisory Group.
Publications, Conferences & Engagement
The law on underage sexting needs to change – here’s how
Stakeholder Engagement
Protecting Children Online during COVID-19
2020
Katrina's piece for The Conversation examines the current legal framework surrounding production of sexual imagery and critiques it's appropriateness to address children's sexting. Katrina provides suggestions on improving the legal framework to better seve and protect children and young people.
Ongoing
Katrina has worked alongside eAWARE to produce online safety guidance for schools, parents and young people.
2020, Briefing Paper
Katrina's Briefing Paper forms the first contribution to the University of Liverpool's series of COVID-19 Briefing Papers that address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's lives.
Katrina's Briefing Paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on children's use of online media, including reflecting on the benefits and risks of online use.
6th Child Rights Research Symposium, Belfast