My academic and professional journey has been shaped by a deeply rooted interest in the intersections of power, justice, labour and employment law. This interest has grown in tandem with the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in Canada and the global market. Holding a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Political Studies and a Master of Industrial Relations (MIR) from Queen’s University, I have developed a nuanced understanding of Canadian labour and employment legal frameworks and the principles that underpin effective industrial relations (IR). My MIR experience, grounded in theory and applied research, has equipped me with critical thinking skills and practical ‘expertise’ that bridges the gap between legal theory and IR practice. This interdisciplinary background has fueled my current pursuit of an LL.M., where I aim to investigate how AI can enhance access to justice and efficiency in labour and employment law in an ethical manner. I intend to develop a comprehensive theory of legally defensible AI tools, focusing on proactive conflict resolution and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the literature surrounding the design of AI systems that meet industry standards while ensuring they serve the interconnected nature of human resources (HR) and labour relations (LR) ecosystems. Upon fulfilling the criteria for my LL.M., I plan to pursue a J.D. and contribute to upholding principles of justice as a legal practitioner.
Supervisor: Kevin Banks
Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Labour & Employment Law, Access to Justice, Ethical AI Use.
Provisional Title of thesis: ‘Navigating AI in Canadian Workplaces: Legal, Ethical and Accessibility Perspectives’