Professional biography

Francine is a Senior Lecturer in Law and Director of the Open Justice Centre, she is a qualified lawyer and legal academic. Her work focuses on bridging legal education and practice, with an emphasis on advancing access to justice through innovative teaching and research.

Francine holds a PhD from Lancaster University and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 

Francine is a member of the Association of Law Teachers, Legal Ed Games (LEGEND) and a trustee of the Clinical Legal Education Organisation.  

Francine was an academic advisor to the BBC series The Detectives and the BBC ideas production: 'Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?' 

Research interests

Francine’s research explores the intersection between law and technology and in particularly technology enhanced learning. The Open Justice Centre has been the object of considerable interest from scholars of legal education, given its innovative approach to combining experiential learning with cutting edge legal technologies.

Francine has particular expertise in GenAI and legal education. She is leading a UKRI RAi Skills Project: AI, Law and Legal Training (AILLT) that brings together a multidisciplinary team to co-produce research informed resources that will enhance knowledge and awareness of, and confidence in the use of GenAI for understanding legal processes and accessing legal information. Francine has also recently worked on a NCFE funded project that explored GenAI and assessment. 

Francine publishes widely in academic journals, is an invited speaker at international conferences and is a peer reviewer for a number of leading academic journals.  

Francine co-leads the Futures of Legal Education and Practice research cluster. 

Teaching interests

Francine co-founded the award-winning Open Justice Centre; she pioneered the UK's first virtual law clinic. As the Director of the Open Justice Centre, Francine has worked to develop a range of innovative and technology enhanced opportunities for OU students. Francine was a finalist in The Law Teacher of the Year 2020 

Francine is Chair of a level 3 module, W360: Justice in Action which explores pro bono, social justice, access to justice and technology and legal ethics and values. She is also a co-author of Digital Lawyering: Technology and Legal Practice in the 21st Century

Francine leads an innovative  Virtual Courtroom project that offers practical insights into the legal system, supporting both teaching and learning and fostering knowledge exchange.