Dr. Lydia Bracken
Biography
Dr Lydia Bracken is an Associate Professor in Law and Assistant Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Faculty of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) at the University of Limerick (UL). She is a graduate of UCC (BCL; LLM; PhD) and the Honorable Society of King's Inns (Barrister-at-Law degree). Lydia also completed a Masters in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship at UL. Lydia researches in the areas of child and family law, with a particular focus on the legal recognition of 'non-traditional' and 'new' families.Lydia is the author of two books, Same-Sex Parenting and the Best Interests Principle (Cambridge University Press, 2020) and Child Law in Ireland (Clarus Press, 2018), and has published her research in a range of high-ranking national and international journals. Lydia's research has been influential in guiding national debates on law reform in Ireland and abroad: for example, Lydia has presented her research to the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy; the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the rights of the child in domestic and international surrogacy; the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health during pre-legislative scrutiny of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017; as well as the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) Task Force on LGBTI Rights; and her research has been cited by the Law Commission for England and Wales and the Law Commission for Scotland, among others. In April 2023, Lydia was selected as an inaugural member of the Young Academy of Ireland.
Lydia chairs the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team and led the faculty's successful Bronze Athena SWAN award application in 2020. She is a member of a number of University-level committees including the University of Limerick Athena SWAN Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee and the Human Rights, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee.
Lydia is the inaugural course director of both the Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Policing and Criminal Justice. She was Director of Clinical Legal Education at the School of Law, UL from 2016 -2019.
Research Interests
My research interests are in the areas of child and family law and European human rights. In particular, I am interested in examining the legal recognition of 'non-traditional' and "new" families and exploring how such recognition can be provided in a manner that respects the rights and interests of children. Topics within my research include issues pertaining to parentage, parental responsibilities and guardianship, adoption, and the legal regulation of assisted human reproduction including surrogacy.I am interested in supervising doctoral research that pertains to any of my core research areas listed above. Interested students should first compile an outline research proposal before contacting me on Lydia.Bracken@ul.ie to discuss further.
Professional Activities
Award
- 2023 - Invited Visiting Professorship, University of Zurich, Human Reproduction Reloaded Project
- 2023 - Appointed as Inaugural Member, Young Academy of Ireland (April 2023 to April 2027)
- 2021 - Irish Research Council New Foundations 2020
- 2021 - National Forum Seminar Series 2021/22
- 2020 - Local Enhancement Project
- 2019 - National Forum Seminar Series 2018/19
- 2019 - National Forum Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (Collaborator)
- 2019 - National Forum Seminar Series 2019/20
- 2019 - Erasmus+ Mobility Grant
- 2016 - Irish Research Council New Foundations 2016
- 2014 - Aidan Synnott Travel Bursary
- 2013 - Department of Children and Youth Affairs Research Scholarship
- 2012 - School of Law Research Scholarship
Outreach
- Street Law: Experiential practicum where final year law students taught law at a local DEIS secondary school. Organised in collaboration with the UL Access Office and the secondary school.
Association
- Council Member , Irish Association of Law Teachers, Council Member (until 2022)
- Member , Health Research Institute
Other
- Management Committee, COST Action: LGBTI+ Social and Economical (in)equalities (2020 to present)
- Board Member, Council of Gaisce: The President's Award (2017 to 2020)
- Editorial board member, Irish Judicial Studies Journal (2018 to present)
- External Examiner, Atlantic Technological University, Donegal (2019 to 2023)
- Inaugural Member, Young Academy of Ireland (April 2023 to April 2027)
Peer Reviewed Journals
''Heteronormativity at Every Turn': The Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Parents in Ireland.' LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal
Lydia Bracken (2023) ''Heteronormativity at Every Turn': The Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Parents in Ireland.' LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal .
Read more
'Cross-Border Surrogacy Before the European Court of Human Rights: Analysis of Valdís Fjölnisdóttir And Others v Iceland'
Lydia Bracken (2022) 'Cross-Border Surrogacy Before the European Court of Human Rights: Analysis of Valdís Fjölnisdóttir And Others v Iceland' . European Journal of Health Law
Read moreThe Normative Underpinnings of Ireland's Proposed Regulation of Assisted Human Reproduction
Lydia Bracken (2022) The Normative Underpinnings of Ireland's Proposed Regulation of Assisted Human Reproduction. International Journal Of Law Policy And The Family
Read moreThe normative underpinnings of Ireland's proposed regulation of assisted human reproduction
Bracken, L (2022) The normative underpinnings of Ireland's proposed regulation of assisted human reproduction. OXFORD : OXFORD UNIV PRESS International Journal of Law, Policy & the Family
Read more
Cross-Border Surrogacy before the European Court of Human Rights: Analysis of Valdis Fjolnisdottir and Others v Iceland
Bracken, L (2022) Cross-Border Surrogacy before the European Court of Human Rights: Analysis of Valdis Fjolnisdottir and Others v Iceland. LEIDEN : BRILL European Journal of Health Law :194-216
Read more
"Recognition of LGBTQI+ parent families across European borders" Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law
Lydia Bracken (2022) "Recognition of LGBTQI+ parent families across European borders" Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law .
Read moreThe Position of the Surrogate in the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022
Lydia Bracken (2022) The Position of the Surrogate in the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022. Irish Journal Of Family Law
Read moreCross-Border Surrogacy before the European Court of Human Rights: Analysis of Vald s Fj lnisd ttir and Others v Iceland
Bracken L. (2021) Cross-Border Surrogacy before the European Court of Human Rights: Analysis of Vald s Fj lnisd ttir and Others v Iceland. European Journal of Health Law
Read more
The ECtHR's first advisory opinion: Implications for cross-border surrogacy involving male intended parents
Lydia Bracken (2021) The ECtHR's first advisory opinion: Implications for cross-border surrogacy involving male intended parents. Medical Law International
Read moreSurrogacy and the Genetic Link
Lydia Bracken (2020) Surrogacy and the Genetic Link. Child and Family Law Quarterly :303-320
Read moreThe Pre-conception Best Interests AssessmentPart 2: Implications for the Irish Legal Framework
Lydia Bracken (2019) The Pre-conception Best Interests AssessmentPart 2: Implications for the Irish Legal Framework . Irish Journal Of Family Law :2-7
Read moreThe Pre-Conception Best Interests Assessment Part 1: Suitability and Feasibility
Lydia Bracken (2019) The Pre-Conception Best Interests Assessment Part 1: Suitability and Feasibility. Irish Journal Of Family Law :16-22
Read moreThe Role of the Best Interests Principle in Regulating Parentage in Surrogacy in Ireland
Bracken (2017) The Role of the Best Interests Principle in Regulating Parentage in Surrogacy in Ireland. International Family Law :115-
Read moreThe Assisted Reproduction Bill 2017: An Analysis of Proposals to Regulate Surrogacy in Ireland
Bracken, L. (2017) The Assisted Reproduction Bill 2017: An Analysis of Proposals to Regulate Surrogacy in Ireland. Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly :577-
Read moreAssessing the best interests of the child in cases of cross-border surrogacy: inconsistency in the Strasbourg approach?
Bracken, L (2017) Assessing the best interests of the child in cases of cross-border surrogacy: inconsistency in the Strasbourg approach?. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law :368-379
Read more
In the Best Interests of the Child? The Regulation of DAHR in Ireland
Lydia Bracken (2016) In the Best Interests of the Child? The Regulation of DAHR in Ireland. European Journal of Health Law :391-
Read moreStrasbourg's Response to Gay and Lesbian Parenting: Progress, then Plateau?
Lydia Bracken (2016) Strasbourg's Response to Gay and Lesbian Parenting: Progress, then Plateau?. International Journal of Children's Rights :358-
Read moreGuardianship Reform: An Assessment of the Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014
Lydia Bracken (2014) Guardianship Reform: An Assessment of the Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014. Bar Review :39-
Read moreIs there a case for Same-Sex Adoption in Ireland
Lydia Bracken (2013) Is there a case for Same-Sex Adoption in Ireland. Irish Journal Of Family Law :79-
Read moreBooks
Book Chapters
Children's Rights within Family Law
Lydia Bracken (2023) Children's Rights within Family Law . Dublin : Clarus Press Family Law in Context
Read moreSecond-parent adoption in new family forms': emerging case law from the European Court of Human Rights
Lydia Bracken (2023) Second-parent adoption in new family forms': emerging case law from the European Court of Human Rights. London : Edward Elgar Research Handbook on Adoption
Read moreParenthood in Ireland
Lydia Bracken (2023) Parenthood in Ireland. London : Intersentia Comparative Perspectives on Parenthood
Read moreLegal Aspects of Healthcare from the Beginning to End of Life
Lydia Bracken and John Lombard (2023) Legal Aspects of Healthcare from the Beginning to End of Life. London : Palgrave Palgrave Encyclopedia of Health Humanities
Read moreThe Child's Right to Family Life: Shifting Sands and Social Science
Lydia Bracken and Conor O'Mahony (2020) The Child's Right to Family Life: Shifting Sands and Social Science. UK : Intersentia European Yearbook on Human Rights
Read moreDecision-making on Behalf of Children in Ireland
Lydia Bracken and John Lombard (2020) Decision-making on Behalf of Children in Ireland. London : Hart Publishng Parental Rights, Best Interests and Significant Harms
Read moreGas and Dubois v France
Rewriting Children's Rights Judgments From Academic Vision to New Practice (2017) Gas and Dubois v France. Oxford : Hart Publishing Rewriting Children's Rights Judgments From Academic Vision to New Practice
Read moreEuropean Court of Human Rights Gas and Dubois v France
Kilkelly, U;Bracken, L (2017) European Court of Human Rights Gas and Dubois v France. PORTLAND : HART PUBL REWRITING CHILDREN'S RIGHTS JUDGMENTS: FROM ACADEMIC VISION TO NEW PRACTICE :150-158
Read moreEdited Books
Other Journals
Conference Publications
Conference Contributions
Training of Trainers: Using non-live client clinic to teach law a Workshop for Law Teachers
Lydia Bracken, Brónagh Heverin and Siobhan Cullen (2020) Training of Trainers: Using non-live client clinic to teach law a Workshop for Law Teachers.
Read moreIrish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference
Lydia Bracken, Brónagh Heverin and Siobhan Cullen (2019) Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference.
Read moreIrish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference
Lydia Bracken (2019) Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference.
Read moreGlobal Alliance for Justice Education 10th Worldwide Conference
Lydia Bracken, Brónagh Heverin and Siobhan Cullen (2019) Global Alliance for Justice Education 10th Worldwide Conference.
Read moreInternational Journal of Children's Rights UNCRC 30th Anniversary Conference
O'Mahony and Bracken (2019) International Journal of Children's Rights UNCRC 30th Anniversary Conference.
Read moreWorkshop on Frontier Research in Children's Rights and Family Law, UCC
Lydia Bracken (2018) Workshop on Frontier Research in Children's Rights and Family Law, UCC .
Read moreIrish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference
Lydia Bracken (2018) Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference.
Read moreSociety of Legal Scholars Annual Conference 2018
Lydia Bracken (2018) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference 2018.
Read moreSociety of Legal Scholars Annual Conference 2017
Lydia Bracken (2017) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference 2017.
Read moreContemporary Issues in Family Formation,
Lydia Bracken (2017) Contemporary Issues in Family Formation,.
Read more7th World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights
Bracken (2017) 7th World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights.
Read moreCopenhagen Postgraduate Law Conference
Lydia Bracken (2015) Copenhagen Postgraduate Law Conference.
Read moreIrish Society of Comparative Law Conference 2015
Lydia Bracken (2015) Irish Society of Comparative Law Conference 2015.
Read moreSocio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Lydia Bracken (2014) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference.
Read moreSociety of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
Lydia Bracken (2014) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference.
Read moreSecond Doctoral Research Symposium on Children's Rights
Lydia Bracken (2014) Second Doctoral Research Symposium on Children's Rights.
Read more9th Annual Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights Conference
Lydia Bracken (2013) 9th Annual Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights Conference.
Read morePublished Reports
LGBTI+ Parent Families in Ireland: Legal Recognition of Parent-Child Relationships
Lydia Bracken (2021) LGBTI+ Parent Families in Ireland: Legal Recognition of Parent-Child Relationships . UL : UL
Read moreApproaches in Learning and Teaching to Promote Equity and Inclusion: Group Report
European Universities Association (2021) Approaches in Learning and Teaching to Promote Equity and Inclusion: Group Report . EUA : EUA
Read moreStreet Law Project Community Briefing
Lydia Bracken (supervisor) (2018) Street Law Project Community Briefing. UL : UL Engage
Read morePathways to Parenting: Proposals for Reform
Lydia Bracken and LGBT Ireland (2018) Pathways to Parenting: Proposals for Reform . Dublin : LGBT Ireland
Read moreInformation booklet on Donor Assisted Human Reproduction (DAHR) and the Law in Ireland
Lydia Bracken (supervisor) (2017) Information booklet on Donor Assisted Human Reproduction (DAHR) and the Law in Ireland. UL : UL Engage
Read moreEditorials
Book Reviews
Other Publications
Workshop: The best interests of the child in assisted human reproduction', University of Zurich, 28 February 2023
Lydia Bracken (2023) Workshop: The best interests of the child in assisted human reproduction', University of Zurich, 28 February 2023.
Read more'Assisted human reproduction and the law in Ireland', Advanced Diploma in Medical Law, Honorable Society of Kings Inns, 18 February 2023
Lydia Bracken (2023) 'Assisted human reproduction and the law in Ireland', Advanced Diploma in Medical Law, Honorable Society of Kings Inns, 18 February 2023.
Read more'Surrogacy: Legal and Ethical Perspectives', National Women's Council of Ireland, 31 January 2023 (with Paula Fagan)
Lydia Bracken (2023) 'Surrogacy: Legal and Ethical Perspectives', National Women's Council of Ireland, 31 January 2023 (with Paula Fagan).
Read moreRestrictions on publicly funded fertility treatment in Ireland
Lydia Bracken (2023) Restrictions on publicly funded fertility treatment in Ireland. : Bionews
Read more'The regulation of International Surrogacy in Ireland', University of Zurich, 7 March 2023
Lydia Bracken (2023) 'The regulation of International Surrogacy in Ireland', University of Zurich, 7 March 2023.
Read moreWorkshop: Integrating gender and diversity perspectives into legal research and teaching', University of Zurich, 28 February 2023
Lydia Bracken (2023) Workshop: Integrating gender and diversity perspectives into legal research and teaching', University of Zurich, 28 February 2023.
Read moreAssisted human reproduction and the law in Ireland, Advanced Diploma in Medical Law, Honorable Society of Kings Inns, 22 Jan 2022
Lydia Bracken (2022) Assisted human reproduction and the law in Ireland, Advanced Diploma in Medical Law, Honorable Society of Kings Inns, 22 Jan 2022.
Read moreInvited Oral Presentation to Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy, 28 April 2022
Lydia Bracken (2022) Invited Oral Presentation to Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy, 28 April 2022 .
Read moreRainbow Families: A Discussion on Assisted Human Reproduction, Arthur Cox Solicitors, 22 June 2022
Lydia Bracken (2022) Rainbow Families: A Discussion on Assisted Human Reproduction, Arthur Cox Solicitors, 22 June 2022.
Read moreInvited Oral Presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the rights of the child in domestic and international surrogacy, 1 Feb 2022
Lydia Bracken (2022) Invited Oral Presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the rights of the child in domestic and international surrogacy, 1 Feb 2022.
Read moreThe Equality for Children Podcast
Lydia Bracken/ Equality for Children (2022) The Equality for Children Podcast .
Read moreThe legal obstacles facing LGBTQI+ parent families and why we need to recognise diverse family relationships in Ireland
Lydia Bracken (2022) The legal obstacles facing LGBTQI+ parent families and why we need to recognise diverse family relationships in Ireland. : Irish Research Council #LoveIrishResearch Blog
Read moreOverview of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: LGBT Ireland AHR Roundtable
Lydia Bracken (2021) Overview of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017: LGBT Ireland AHR Roundtable.
Read more'Families not covered by the CFRA 2015', OutLaw Network/ Equality for Children: Four Families: A Series on LGBT+ Parental Rights
Lydia Bracken (2021) 'Families not covered by the CFRA 2015', OutLaw Network/ Equality for Children: Four Families: A Series on LGBT+ Parental Rights.
Read moreEquality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) as a consideration in the inclusive classroom: TL5003 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education
Lydia Bracken (2021) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) as a consideration in the inclusive classroom: TL5003 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education.
Read moreLGBTQI+ Families and the Law: Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, LGBTQ+ Health and Wellbeing: Patients, Parents and Physicians
Lydia Bracken (2021) LGBTQI+ Families and the Law: Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, LGBTQ+ Health and Wellbeing: Patients, Parents and Physicians.
Read moreAHSS Athena SWAN Journey: Presentation to Mary Immaculate College Arts Faculty Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team
Lydia Bracken (2021) AHSS Athena SWAN Journey: Presentation to Mary Immaculate College Arts Faculty Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team.
Read moreInvited Oral Presentation to Council of Europe, European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) Task Force on LGBTI Rights, 30 Nov 2021
Lydia Bracken (2021) Invited Oral Presentation to Council of Europe, European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) Task Force on LGBTI Rights, 30 Nov 2021.
Read moreOverview of Findings: LGBTI+ Parent Families in Ireland: Legal Recognition of Parent-Child Relationships
Lydia Bracken (2021) Overview of Findings: LGBTI+ Parent Families in Ireland: Legal Recognition of Parent-Child Relationships.
Read moreThe legal obstacles facing LGBTQ parent families in Ireland
Lydia Bracken (2021) The legal obstacles facing LGBTQ parent families in Ireland. : RTÉ Brainstorm
Read moreAssisted Human Reproduction and the Law in Ireland: LW6563 Child Law in Practice, University College Cork
Lydia Bracken (2020) Assisted Human Reproduction and the Law in Ireland: LW6563 Child Law in Practice, University College Cork.
Read moreInvited Oral Presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health during pre-legislative scrutiny of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017, 27 Feb 2019
Lydia Bracken (2019) Invited Oral Presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health during pre-legislative scrutiny of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017, 27 Feb 2019.
Read moreRecognising Rainbow Families Seminar: LGBT Ireland and the Lesbian Lawyers Network, hosted by OneALG
Lydia Bracken (2019) Recognising Rainbow Families Seminar: LGBT Ireland and the Lesbian Lawyers Network, hosted by OneALG. Ireland
Read moreGender Equality as a Human Right, Holmes O'Malley Sexton Solicitors International Women's Day Event
Lydia Bracken (2019) Gender Equality as a Human Right, Holmes O'Malley Sexton Solicitors International Women's Day Event. Ireland
Read moreLaw and Assisted Human Reproduction, Humanities and Medicine Lunchtime Seminar Series
Lydia Bracken (2019) Law and Assisted Human Reproduction, Humanities and Medicine Lunchtime Seminar Series. Ireland
Read moreAddress to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health during pre-legislative scrutiny of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017
Lydia Bracken (2019) Address to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health during pre-legislative scrutiny of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017.
Read moreIssues of concern to LGBT parents and their children: Proposals for Reform
Lydia Bracken (2018) Issues of concern to LGBT parents and their children: Proposals for Reform.
Read moreThe kids are not alright: why some children are in a legal bind
Lydia Bracken (2018) The kids are not alright: why some children are in a legal bind. : RTÉ Brainstorm
Read moreThe Recognition of Modern Family Relationships in Ireland
Lydia Bracken (2016) The Recognition of Modern Family Relationships in Ireland.
Read moreWe all have a role to play in tackling bullying
Lydia Bracken (2015) We all have a role to play in tackling bullying.
Read moreParents, you need to take care of yourselves
Lydia Bracken (2015) Parents, you need to take care of yourselves .
Read more