Testimonials

George Daoud completed his PhD under the supervision of Professor Colin King.

My IALS PhD Experience

What was your PhD topic?

My research specialized in money laundering and terrorism financing, sub-specializing in cryptographic technologies and the darknet. Particularly, I examined the sophistication of money laundering and terrorism financing. Through my research, I examined joint operational considerations, doctrinal legal scrutiny and intelligence and counter-intelligence operations across six countries with respect to the global money laundering and terrorist financing legal frameworks. This was done through fieldwork with high-level officials from the private/reporting entity, public/regulator and intelligence/law enforcement bodies across six countries. 

What attracted you to IALS?

IALS is a postgraduate specialized institution. No nonsense and wholly dedicated to higher-though and sophisticated research. I found this attractive in that if I was going to pursue subject matter specialist expertise, I should do so in an environment with subject matter specialists. This is evidenced by their track-record of high-quality scholarship and impressive Ph.D. cohorts. 

What is your fondest memory from your time at IALS? 

Obviously, my fondest memory is defending my thesis and passing my oral defence. Only secondary to this, is all the interactions I had with my exceptional supervisors during the course of the research. 

What have you done since leaving IALS?  

I have continued law practice. 

 My IALS PhD Experience

What was your PhD topic?

Embedding Skills in African Customary Law and Culture in the LLB Curriculum: An Empirical Study of Pedagogical Approaches in Selected African University Law Schools  

What attracted you to IALS?

IALS was already a familiar environment because of my experience using the library during my LLM studies at Queen Mary, University of London. As a post experience PhD candidate, IALS also provided a conducive atmosphere that enabled me to interact with experts in the fields related to my area of study. Perhaps even more importantly, IALS appeared to be the only institution in the UK where I was able to find a supervisor, Professor Emeritus Avrom Sherr, who was willing to work with me to develop my thesis on Africanisation of legal skills in legal education and training.

What is your fondest memory from your time at IALS? 

I interacted with three Directors of the Institute, including Professor Emeritus and Woolf Professor of Legal Education, Avrom Sherr. They were all supportive in other endeavours not directly linked to my research. On several occasions, Director Jules Winterton and Professor Carl Stychin participated in training events and workshops that I was involved in at IALS’s affiliate in Ghana, the Ghana Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. Over the years I have also tapped into their professional networks in the UK and abroad. Meeting renowned experts such as Professor Emeriti William Twining and David Sugarman at IALS will always be an unforgettable experience because of their acclaimed work internationally.

What have you done since leaving IALS?  

I continue to be involved with curriculum and regulatory reform efforts in legal education and training in Africa. I have also been collaborating with scholars in my field in the United States where I am currently based. 

Anything else that you would like to add.

There have been numerous opportunities to develop other skills at IALS. Working as an Associate Editor of the IALS Law Review has enabled me to work collaboratively with other researchers at IALS to promote research in disciplines other than my own. More than anything else, Professor Emeritus Avrom Sherr helped me to refine my thoughts on an otherwise difficult subject and turned me into a scholar in the process. I think this was only possible because IALS provided the conditions for me to thrive in my academic endeavours. 

Lovina Otudor completed her PhD under the supervision of Professor Chizu Nakajima and Professor Stuart Bazley in January 2021.

My IALS PhD Experience

Name 

Dr Lovina Ekpenyong Otudor

What was your PhD topic?

“The Future of Anti-Money Regulations and Its Implications for Developing Economies”’ -My  research gives a detailed account of the determinant of compliance behaviour in developing economies to the FATF regulatory standards by looking at the sources, industry response to the FATF regulation and the implication of this response on developing economies. The main contribution of the work is to advocate for a rethink in the application of the FATF global AML regulatory standards. It advocates  for concerted efforts from the developed world to ensure a platform for equal deliberation and ensure that the FATF membership is open to all while its should be forward thinking in accommodating the inherent peculiarities or circumstances of developing nations which act as a drawback in the full realization of the laudable aims and objectives of the FATF global Anti-Money Laundering regulatory framework. 

What attracted you to IALS?

The location was paramount to me as London  host a very vibrant community of world-leading researchers which allows you to surround yourself with cutting-edge research and to continue learning. With excellent transport links and beautiful art galleries , gardens, and shopping malls, it created the right ambiance for research and relaxation. Also, the uniqueness of IALS captured my curiosity as it was a post graduate research and specialised institution which presented a hub for thought provoking discussions by academicians, practitioners, policy makers and students on contemporary legal issues in search of the development of research and finding solutions.

What is your fondest memory from your time at IALS? 

The support from staff was my fondest memory, from both academic and non-academic staff, questions were answered, issues resolved, and their professionalism was second to none. One striking instance was when my varifocal glasses fell off and was broken during a commute from waterloo station to the school. I was down casted as my sight was paramount not just for my research but for my everyday life and I had no money to replace same at that moment. IALS came to my rescue and brought smiles in the midst of a storm. My varifocal glasses fully paid for by IALS. This impressed so much on me as not only was IALS interested in my research but also in my general wellbeing.

What have you done since leaving IALS?  

I have just concluded my studies and will be staying back in the UK to look for research opportunities or regulatory and compliance jobs.

Anything else that you would like to add.

Looking back, I can unequivocally  say that choosing IALS was the right decision for me. IALS provided me everything necessary to obtain a high-quality PhD, from world class academicians who are genuinely interested to hear about your research, to unwavering and supportive registry staff , friendly  other student who are willing to help you debug a hypothesis, information on conferences or just catching up while grabbing coffee in the cafeteria down the library. For me, the ultimate selling point was the unique law library, being the largest in Europe and the staff who ensured you were never alone. My gratitude goes to Dr Colin King who saw me through research and DR Ivan Leonadov who ensured that I followed the right administrative procedures.

Ejike Ekwueme completed his PhD under the supervision of Dr Richard Alexander, and he will graduate in 2020.

My PhD Experience

What was your PhD topic?

Convergence of dirty money and private to private corruption: Fact or Fiction? How efficient are the tools to contain this? A discourse from Anglo-American and less developed countries’ perspectives

What attracted you to IALS?

Interestingly, I considered the reputational value of attending any of the Colleges of University of London. However, upon further investigation, IALS singled itself out as having the required and necessarily expertise in my chosen field of research – Financial Crime. There is also the fact that my second masters degree in law was done in this institution. It afforded me the opportunity to progress further with the school. This institution is noted to have successfully churned out very important and remarkable research endeavours that have and will continue to stand the test of time. 

Above aside, the IALS library is noted to be one of the best libraries that you can utilize in carrying out your research in law. In truth, it is not necessarily an over statement to state, that you do not need to look beyond the library to achieve your goal which is also dependent on your chosen research methodology.   

What is your fondest memory from your time at IALS? 

The cooperation of the library staff and their unrelenting enthusiasm to always assist a researcher in locating the materials whenever they are called upon to do so will not be forgotten in a hurry. Additionally, I had the opportunity to interact with some of the experts in the field during conferences which also impacted on the positive outcome of my research.  

What have you done since leaving IALS? What future plans do you have post-PhD?

It has not been long that I finished my degree and can possibly be described presently as a freshly minted PhD holder. I am presently gainfully employed albeit in a non-financial sector. However, the PhD in financial crime should possibly assist me in reassessing my options going forward. And being involved in the regulatory template that includes compliance matters in the financial sector, I believe, should not be ruled out.   

Anything else that you would like to add?

Special thanks go to my supervisor Dr Richard Alexander of SOAS who assisted tremendously in the successful outcome of my research. The tremendous speed with which he used to assess and return my work during my thesis is to say the least very amazing. He also provided and suggested materials for this thesis. Dr Ivan Leonadov of SAS registry was also very instrumental in assisting whenever the need arose in administrative issues.  

Shiqing Yu completed her PhD under the supervision of Professor Chizu Nakajima in March 2021.

My IALS PhD Experience

What was your PhD topic?

‘International and Domestic Measures: An Inquiry into the Anti-Money Laundering Mechanisms from the Perspective of Financial Regulation and Corporate Governance and Recommendations for China’.

The research stemmed originally from my interest in news on financial crimes and motivation to identify possible solutions. Money laundering undermines international financial order and stability seriously, and the enormous proceeds this crime generates by facilitating various predicate offences has raised serious concerns, and as an important participant in the world economy, China needs to advocate for more action against money laundering and enhance its AML efforts to respond better to financial crimes that harm the economy.

What attracted you to IALS?

As a specialised post graduate research institute and legal research centre, IALS attracted me as an ideal choice after my master’s studies in a comprehensive university. It serves as a national academic centre of excellence and provides academic support in legal research. IALS library, which has one of the largest legal research collections in Europe, provided us students with highly helpful references. 

The Institute often holds various seminars and academic conferences that have given us opportunities to learn about different topics and communicate with scholars from universities throughout the UK. The excellent location with different colleges nearby and convenient transport gave me the opportunity to pursue a variety of materials that are relevant to my research, as well as spend my leisure time visiting museums, galleries, and shopping centres.

What is your fondest memory from your time at IALS? 

Sitting in the library to write my thesis helped me concentrate and was a highly productive period. During breaks, the ground floor cafe provided a good place to chat with colleagues and sometimes we shared our own interests, challenges, and pressure that we experienced commonly during our long PhD journeys.

What have you done since leaving IALS?  

It has been no more than two weeks since I received the lovely PhD success messages, and it was just yesterday that I received a letter from Professor Stychin in which he called me ‘Dr’. As a fresh PhD holder, my goal is to apply what I have learned in my research, and practice compliance matters in the financial sector.

Anything else that you would like to add.

Looking back, I am happy that I chose IALS, as it was the right place for my research, is flexible, and offers opportunities to participate in different events. Our colleagues have been friendly and willing to talk regardless of the areas in which they work, and the registry staff were very supportive and always approachable for assistance.

Calvin Jackson completed his PhD under the supervision of Professor Kern Alexander.

My IALS PhD Experience

Name

Dr Calvin Jackson  

What was your PhD topic?

Aspect of Financial Services: Executive Remuneration
‘Promoting Highest Professional Standards in UK Remuneration Committee Advisory Services’.

What attracted you to IALS?

Supreme flexibility on part-time/ full-time research student status – because I am a practising member of the Bar. Additionally, IALS was very close to my practice address: 10 minutes’ walk. It was also very important to me to have a Supervisor who was both a technical subject specialist, plus highly encouraging and committed to my success in undertaking doctoral study.

What is your fondest memory from your time at IALS?

I enjoyed sitting in my carrel, writing my thesis while looking over Russell Square through a canopy of London Plane trees.

What have you done since leaving IALS? 

Currently securing a book contract with Routledge for a monograph of my doctoral studies.
Continuing as a practising member of the Bar.
Contributing hopefully to FinReg activities post-pandemic.

Anything else that you would like to add.

IALS has many strengths: world class legal library; short distance from the City of London, a major financial centre; supreme flexibility in how research studies are undertaken – fits in well with work commitments, etc; pool of experienced and committed Supervisors.

Bahriye Basaran completed her PhD under the supervision of Dr Mahmood Bagheri and will graduate in December 2019.

My IALS PhD Experience

Dr Bahriye Basaran

Bahriye Basaran completed her PhD under the supervision of Dr Mahmood Bagheri and will graduate in December 2019.

What was your PhD topic?

I analytically criticise differing objectives and regulatory philosophies of securities markets regulator and bank prudential regulator by focusing on the relationship between financial stability and transparency & accountability measures while placing banks in the centre of the arguments. I explored the conflict and critical challenge arising from the simultaneous application of business law & capital markets regulation and macro- and micro-prudential regulation on banks.  

What attracted you to IALS?

As IALS is a postgraduate research institution, it is a hub for thought-provoking discussions, events and lectures with academics, practitioners, alumni and peer PhD researchers which I believe provides PhD researchers a balanced outlook and multi-dimensional perspective. Also, the mentorship, intense research training and research facilities provided during a PhD journey attracted me to pursue a PhD at IALS and supported me move in the direction of conducting high standard scholarship. 

What is your fondest memory from your time at IALS? 

My fondest memory lies in the feeling of being surrounded by friends and colleagues. We had our coffee break time which mostly led to never-ending interesting conversations until one of us reluctantly reminded us that we have a PhD to finish! 

What have you done since leaving IALS?  

I have received a fellowship to continue my research in addition to my work in legal consultancy.