Two academics from Warwick Law School have been shortlisted for prestigious prizes at the Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) Awards 2025.
Dr Laura Lammasniemi – SLSA Article Prize
Dr Laura Lammasniemi has been shortlisted for the highly esteemed SLSA Article Prize for her article Capacity to Consent to Sex: A Historical Perspective, published in the Oxford Journal of Legal Studies (OJLS).
This prize recognises the most outstanding piece of socio-legal scholarship published in the 12 months up to 30th September 2024.
Laura's article explores how the concept of capacity to consent to sex has evolved historically, with a particular focus on unreported sexual offence cases from 1918 to 1950.
These cases often involved vulnerable complainants, including those below the age of consent and individuals with mental disabilities. Her research demonstrates that capacity was neither fixed nor clearly articulated, but rather shaped by social factors such as class, gender, and eugenic ideals.
On being shortlisted, Laura said: "I'm honoured that my work has been recognised in this way. Understanding the historical context of consent is really important as it helps us see how legal definitions have evolved and the challenges that still remain today. Even today, the law continues to grapple with similar, fundamental questions: who can make decisions about sex, whose consent matters, and why?"
Her article is part of a larger Leverhulme Trust-funded project on the history of sexual consent in criminal courts.
Dr Ali Struthers – SLSA Annual Impact Prize
Dr Ali Struthers has been shortlisted for the SLSA Annual Impact Prize 2025 for her leadership of the highly successful legal outreach project, School Tasking.
This award celebrates excellence in non-academic impact arising from socio-legal research, and School Tasking has been thriving since its pilot year at Warwick Law School in 2021.
Using the format of the hit TV show Taskmaster, the project—now running at 34 universities across the UK and Ireland—engages young people from widening participation primary schools with the most interesting aspects of law through fun and interactive challenges. The initiative also fosters positive connections between students and their local universities.
Speaking about her nomination, Ali said: "I think the reason for School Tasking going from strength to strength has a lot to do with the fact that it is spreading joy and developing children's key life skills in these most uncertain of times. I'm honoured to have played a role in that and to hear such wonderful testimony from project teams across the country about the difference that School Tasking is making."
The winners of both awards will be announced at the SLSA Annual Conference in April in Liverpool.
