
Mr Liam Davis
Expertise
I research birth registration and its (in)ability to cater for more 'non-traditional' family forms. Historically, birth registration has favoured a 'traditional' nuclear model - and my PhD is questioning how/why to change this.
Current positions
Contact
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Biography
Liam completed his undergraduate (LLB Law) and was awarded a scholarship to complete his Master’s (LLM Medical Law and Ethics with Human Rights Law) both at the University of Kent.
Research interests
Liam is currently completing his PhD looking at the birth registration system and its (in)ability to cater for queer families (specifically, trans parents, surrogacy and polyamorous parents). He is generally interested in the intersections between medical law, family law and sex/gender – particularly where these overlap with issues around legal parenthood.
Alongside this, Liam is also interested in fertility law, assisted reproduction and surrogacy. He also enjoys discussions around the ‘right’ for children to know their (biogenetic) origins.
Liam employs a socio-legal, critical and queer lens to his work. As far as his PhD is concerned, he is determined to de-centre and de-prioritise hetero- and cis-normativity as guiding legal and social norms.
Publications
Recent publications
01/03/2024The Evolution of Birth Registration in England and Wales and its Place in Contemporary Law and Society
Modern Law Review
Biological links and parental rights
European Human Rights Law Review
Gay asylum seekers
European Human Rights Law Review
Termination of joint custody
European Human Rights Law Review
Deconstructing tradition
International Journal of Transgender Health