Hazel Genn
Encyclopedia
Dame Hazel Gillian Genn, DBE
, QC (Hon)
, FBA (born 1949) is a leading authority on civil justice whose work has had a major influence on policy-makers around the world, and is currently Dean of the Faculty of Laws, Professor
of Socio-Legal Studies at University College London
.
.
She was formerly: a member of the Economic and Social Research Council
, where she served as chair of the council's Research Grants Board; a member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life
; chair of the Public Legal Education and Support (PLEAS) task force; chair of the Advisory Panel for research on Family Advice and Information for the Legal Services Commission; chair of main panel J of the Research Assessment Exercise
2008.
and studied for a joint degree in Sociology, Social Anthropology and Social Administration at the University of Hull
. In 1972, she abandoned work towards an M.A. in Sociology and became a researcher, first at Cambridge Institute of Criminology
(1972-74), then at the Oxford University Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (1974-1985) as a member of Wolfson College, Oxford
, during which she also achieved her LLB
.
She joined the Queen Mary
Law Department in 1985 and became Professor and Head of Department in 1991. In 1994 she was "poached" by University College London, where she has worked ever since.
(DBE) on 17 June 2006, having already been created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(CBE).
She was awarded honorary fellowship of Queen Mary in 2004, and the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Edinburgh
in 2004, and by the University of Leicester
on 13 July 2007. She was appointed an honorary Queen's Counsel in 2006.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, QC (Hon)
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
, FBA (born 1949) is a leading authority on civil justice whose work has had a major influence on policy-makers around the world, and is currently Dean of the Faculty of Laws, Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Socio-Legal Studies at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
.
Public service
Professor Genn is a lay member of the Judicial Appointments CommissionJudicial Appointments Commission
The Judicial Appointments Commission is responsible for selecting judges in England and Wales. It is a non-departmental public body which was created on 3 April 2006 as part of the reforms following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005...
.
She was formerly: a member of the Economic and Social Research Council
Economic and Social Research Council
The Economic and Social Research Council is one of the seven Research Councils in the United Kingdom. It receives most of its funding from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and provides funding and support for research and training work in social and economic issues, such as...
, where she served as chair of the council's Research Grants Board; a member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life
Committee on Standards in Public Life
The Committee on Standards in Public Life is an advisory non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom Government.The Committee on Standards in Public Life is constituted as a standing body with its members appointed for up to three years.-History:...
; chair of the Public Legal Education and Support (PLEAS) task force; chair of the Advisory Panel for research on Family Advice and Information for the Legal Services Commission; chair of main panel J of the Research Assessment Exercise
Research Assessment Exercise
The Research Assessment Exercise is an exercise undertaken approximately every 5 years on behalf of the four UK higher education funding councils to evaluate the quality of research undertaken by British higher education institutions...
2008.
Education and Earlier career
Hazel Genn is the daughter of Lionel and Dorothy Genn. She was educated at Minchenden Grammar SchoolMinchenden Grammar School
Minchenden School was a mixed secondary school situated in Southgate, North London, established in 1919 with 90 pupils.-History:The school was established in 1919 in Tottenhall Road as a mixed secondary school. In 1924, it moved to Southgate House, where it remained until 1987, and was renamed...
and studied for a joint degree in Sociology, Social Anthropology and Social Administration at the University of Hull
University of Hull
The University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
. In 1972, she abandoned work towards an M.A. in Sociology and became a researcher, first at Cambridge Institute of Criminology
Cambridge Institute of Criminology
The Cambridge Institute of Criminology was founded in 1959, with the support of a benefaction from the Wolfson Foundation and the Howard League for Penal Reform. It is part of the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Law, but its multidisciplinary teaching and research staff are also recruited from...
(1972-74), then at the Oxford University Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (1974-1985) as a member of Wolfson College, Oxford
Wolfson College, Oxford
Wolfson College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Located in north Oxford along the River Cherwell, Wolfson is an all-graduate college with over sixty governing body fellows, in addition to both research and junior research fellows. It caters to a wide range of...
, during which she also achieved her LLB
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
.
She joined the Queen Mary
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
Law Department in 1985 and became Professor and Head of Department in 1991. In 1994 she was "poached" by University College London, where she has worked ever since.
Honours
Genn was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(DBE) on 17 June 2006, having already been created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(CBE).
She was awarded honorary fellowship of Queen Mary in 2004, and the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 2004, and by the University of Leicester
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
on 13 July 2007. She was appointed an honorary Queen's Counsel in 2006.