Dr Lydia Bracken is an Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Law at the University of Limerick. She researches the areas of child and family law and European human rights, with a particular focus on the legal recognition of ‘non-traditional’ and ‘new’ families. She is the author of three books and numerous high-impact articles in this area. In her research, Lydia regularly collaborates with civic society organisations and stakeholder groups, and she has been invited to present her research to various Oireachtas committees and international bodies to inform the direction of law and policy proposals nationally and internationally.