University College Cork (UCC) has appointed AI and facial-recognition expert Dr Nessa Lynch as the Matheson Lecturer in Law, Innovation and Technology.

Based at the School of Law, the university says that the lectureship will enhance its expertise in law and technology.

The appointment is part of a five-year innovation partnership between UCC and Matheson, launched last year, which includes a scholarship that will support a PhD student to conduct research in law, innovation, and technology.

FRT work ‘globally recognised’

Dr Lynch will undertake and supervise inter-disciplinary research in areas such as facial-recognition technology, the use of AI in the courts and legal practice, children’s rights and emerging technologies, and the implementation of the EU’s new AI regulations.

Dr Lynch returns to an academic role from a senior leadership role at New Zealand Police.

Prior to that she was an associate professor at the Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, where she researched and taught in criminal law and justice, youth justice, and law and emerging technologies.

UCC says that her work on biometrics, particularly facial-recognition technology, is globally recognised, and has had a significant influence on law, policy, and practice.

A UCC alumnus, Dr Lynch graduated with a BCL in 2003 and an LLM in 2004.

Scholarship process

Dr Lynch said that she was looking forward to returning to the School of Law and to UCC at what she described as “an exciting time for emerging technology and law”.

Professor Mark Poustie (Dean of the School of Law) said that Dr Lynch would make “a very significant impact” in terms of research, curriculum development, and teaching and public engagement.

The School of Law will now prepare for a recruitment process for the Matheson PhD scholarship, which will be launched after Dr Lynch’s arrival.

Michael Jackson (managing partner, Matheson) said: "We look forward to liaising with her in her new role and to collaborating with her and her colleagues as we expand this partnership with UCC.”