Dr Aisling Parkes

Dr Parkes is a senior academic and researcher in domestic child law and international children’s rights in UCC. She has over 20 years’ experience in informing policy and legal developments in the areas of child and family law, children’s rights, child protection, and international human rights law. 

Children, disability and equality minister, Norma Foley welcomed Dr Parkes to the role, saying: “The special rapporteur on child protection plays a critical role in examining and reporting to Government on legal, legislative and litigation-related child protection matters. Dr Parkes brings a depth of relevant experience to the role, and I look forward to working with her over the course of her term.”

Dr Parkes said: “I look forward to working independently but constructively with relevant stakeholders to examine legal developments in child protection, with a particular focus on ensuring that the perspectives, rights and lived experiences of children and young people inform recommendations for reform.”