Dr Joe Wills

I am a lecturer in law with an interest in human rights and animal rights law. I was a PhD candidate and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Leicester from 2010-2014. Since 2014 I have been a lecturer.

My research interests are principally in the fields of animal rights and human rights.

Happy to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate and PhD theses on the topics of legal, political and moral theory, human rights, animal rights and animal law.

• Law and political theory (module convenor)
• Analysing law
• Criminal law

• Appeared twice on New Zealand Community Radio show ‘Safe and Sound’ to discuss my research in animal law (12/06/17 & 19/06/17).
• I have published two comment pieces with The Conversation.
• Appeared on popular animal studies podcast ‘Knowing Animals’ to discuss my article published in the Kings Law Journal (21/01/19).
• My research was cited in a reply brief before the Supreme Court of New York (Appellant Division) (25/9/2020).
• Appeared on the ‘A-Law Bitesize Animal Law’ lecture series to discuss legal personhood for animals (22/10/2020). 
• Appeared on ‘Sentientist Conversations’ (podcast and YouTube channel) for an interview on my research (10/11/20).
• Appeared live on ‘Focus’ for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to discuss the UK’s Animal Sentience Bill (7/7/21).
• Appearing (2021) on the ‘Talking Animal Law’ Podcast to discuss a European Court of Justice ruling on non-stun slaughter (forthcoming).
• Appearing (2021) on the ‘Animalistic’ Podcast to discuss animal personhood.
• Appearing (2022) on the 'Talking Animal Law' Podcast to discuss a hearing before the New York Court of Appeals concerning whether an elephant can be regarded as a 'legal person'.
• A legal brief I drafted and co-ordinated was cited by the New York Court of Appeals (pdf).