Dr Samantha Spence is an Associate Professor of International Human Rights and Social Justice and Course Director for Postgraduate Law at Staffordshire University. She brings extensive academic and professional expertise to her role, with a particular focus on advancing human rights protections for marginalised and vulnerable groups.
Her teaching and research are rooted in a commitment to addressing pressing global challenges, including violence against women and girls, superstition-related harms, and the rights of communities often excluded from mainstream legal protections. She has worked closely with international organisations, including the United Nations, contributing to policy development and global human rights initiatives.
As Course Director for Postgraduate Law, Samantha is dedicated to ensuring that students receive a rich and practice-oriented education that combines rigorous academic training with real-world impact. She works closely with colleagues, students, and external partners to create a learning environment that is inclusive, supportive, and globally engaged.
Samantha is also widely published, with her research influencing debates on gender justice, legal reform, and cultural practices in South Asia and beyond. Her work bridges the gap between scholarship and policy, providing critical insights that inform teaching, research, and international advocacy.
Professional memberships and activities
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), 2023
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), 2018
- Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), 2014
Academic qualifications
- PhD in Law, Lancaster University (2013–2016)
- LLM (Research) in Law (Distinction), Edge Hill University (2011–2013)
- LLB (Hons) Law (First Class),Edge Hill University (2007–2010)
Expertise
- International Human Rights Law and Social Justice
- Feminist Legal Theory and Jurisprudence
- Gender-Based Violence and Women’s Rights
- Witchcraft Accusations and Superstition-Related Harms
- Cultural and Harmful Traditional Practices
- Refugee and Migration Law
- Human Rights in South Asia (with a focus on India)
- Postgraduate Legal Education and Research Supervision
- Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
- Legal and policy reform on harmful practices
- International engagement with the United Nations and UK Parliament
- Advisory roles on witchcraft accusations, ritual attacks, and spiritual abuse
- Research leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Curriculum development and postgraduate course direction
Research interests
- International Human Rights and Social Justice
- Gender-Based Violence and Women’s Rights
- Witchcraft Accusations, Superstition, and Ritual Attacks
- Harmful Traditional and Cultural Practices
- Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in South Asia and the UK
- Feminist Legal Theory and Jurisprudence
- Human Rights and Marginalisation of Vulnerable Communities
- Refugee and Migration Law (with a focus on India and South Asia)
- Intersection of Law, Religion, and Social Justice
- Legal and Policy Reform on Superstition-Related Harms
Grants
2022: Policy Impact Funding — Hidden Crimes of Cultural Violence: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) (£5,000)
2022: WELCOME CIC — Investigation into Socio-cultural Determinants of Violence Against Women and Girls (£25,000)
2022: Open Society Foundations — Study on Persons with Albinism in the UK ($9,000) 2018: Jenkinson Award for Research (£5,000)
2013: Iredell Scholarship — PhD funding, Lancaster University
Teaching
As Course Director for Postgraduate Law, Samantha oversees the development and delivery of the postgraduate law portfolio, ensuring programmes are academically rigorous, practice-focused, and supportive of student progression.
She teaches across postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in Law and International Studies, with responsibilities including:
- LLM International Law
- Research Methods
- International Human Rights and Social Justice
- Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dissertations
Postgraduate supervision
Samantha supervises PhD, LLM, and undergraduate research projects, particularly in areas relating to human rights, gender justice, and social justice.
Publications
Publications
- Spence, S., Kumar, G. & George, A.P. (2025). Empowerment and Justice: Navigating Human Rights for Marginalised Communities. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
- Spence, S., Kumar, G. & Suresh, N. (2025). Witchcraft, Superstition, and Rationality: Examining Harmful Practices, Legislation, and Cultural Beliefs in India. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars.
- Spence, S. (2017). Witchcraft Accusations and Persecution as a Marginalisation Mechanism of Women. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars. Book chapters
- Spence, S., George, A.P. & Idrees, U. (forthcoming 2026). ‘Peace as Protection: Rethinking Refugee Law Through the Lens of Conflict Transformation in Kashmir’, in Khan, B.U., Bhuiyan, J. & Alam, M.J. (eds), Routledge Handbook of International Refugee Law. Routledge.
- Spence, S. & Kumar, G. (2025). ‘Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Patriarchy and Harmful Practices by Engaging Men in the Fight Against Violence Against Women in India’, in Spence, S., Kumar, G. & George, A.P. (eds), Empowerment and Justice: Navigating Human Rights for Marginalised Communities in India. Manchester University Press (forthcoming).
- Spence, S., Kumar, G. & Suresh, N. (2025). ‘Patriarchy, Superstition, and the Feminisation of Evil: Understanding Gendered Violence in Witchcraft Accusations’, in Spence, S., Kumar, G. & Suresh, N. (eds), Witchcraft, Superstition, and Rationality. Cambridge Scholars (forthcoming).
- Spence, S. & Kumar, G. (2025). ‘Navigating the Sacred and the Secular: Balancing Religious Traditions, Harmful Practices, and Women's Rights in India’, in Anand, A. & Das, D. (eds), Gender-Based Violence and Religion: Reinforcing Rights and Clarifying the Existing International Human Rights Framework. Cambridge Scholars. Journal articles
- Spence, S. & Anand, A. (2024). ‘Cultural Contexts: Witchcraft Accusations, Gender Realities, and Local Insights in India’. UPES Law Review, 9.
- Spence, S. & Suresh, N. (2024). ‘Dowry Practices in Kerala: Trends, Implications, and Socio-Legal Perspectives’. Indian Journal of Integrated Research in Law, 4(1), 1049–1070.
- Spence, S. & Suresh, N. (2024). ‘Safeguarding Our Daughters: Tackling Female Infanticide and Foeticide in India through Legal and Social Perspectives’. Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research, 6(1), 2699–2713.
- Spence, S. & Suresh, N. (2024). ‘Addressing the Legal Gap: Implementing Unified Anti-Superstition Law in India’. International Journal of All Research and Scientific Methods, 12(2), 1809–1818.
- Spence, S. & Suresh, N. (2024). ‘Exploring the Intersection of Witchcraft Accusations and Sex Education in India: Challenges, Implications, and Opportunities’. International Journal of All Research and Scientific Methods, 12(2), 1819–1827.
- Bettels, K., Grimstead, D., Allsop, C., Chaussee, A., Bolton-King, R.S., Sturdy Colls, C., Chapman, B., Keatley, D., Tilley, E., Turner, J., Spence, S. & Marquardt, A. (2022). ‘Finding the Missing and Unknown: Novel Educational Approaches to Warming up Cold Cases’. Science and Justice, Elsevier. Reports & Policy Contributions
- Spence, S., Fellows, E., Miti-Drummond, M., Mbuli-Robertson, S. & Carew, M. (2024). Study on the Representation of Persons with Albinism in the UK: Challenges to Human Rights Protections for Persons with Albinism. UNIE, United Nations.
- Spence, S. (2022). Written Intervention to the OHCHR Study Pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations.
- International Working Group (2021). UN Resolution: Elimination of Harmful Practices Related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks. Adopted at the 47th Human Rights Council.
- Spence, S., Walton-Williams, L. & Page, S. (2023). Written Evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee: The Escalation of Violence Against Women and Girls. UK Parliament.
- Spence, S. & McGarry, J. (2021). Written Response to the Joint Committee on Human Rights: Independent Human Rights Act Review. UK Parliament.
Conferences & Keynotes
- Witchcraft and Human Rights: Past, Present, Future – Implementing Resolution 47/8, Lancaster University (2025).
- Keynote Speaker, Centre for Crime Justice and Security Annual Conference, Staffordshire University (2025).
- Keynote Speaker, Central University Kerala; Kerala Law Academy; Government Law College Thiruvananthapuram (2024).
- Keynote Speaker, Fostering Social Change through Scientific Awareness: Witchcraft Accusations in India, Central University Kerala (2024).
- Keynote Speaker, Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore (2024).
- Invited Faculty Development & Guest Lectures, REVA University, Bangalore (2022–2024).
- Verbal Intervention, Expert Consultation on Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks, OHCHR, United Nations, Geneva (2022).
- Invited Expert Panel Member, Office High Commissioner Human Rights, Geneva (2022).
- Invited to Pan-African Parliament, Johannesburg (2021).
- Guest Speaker, Edge Hill University Alumni Event (2018).
- Speaker, Witchcraft Beliefs and Human Rights: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives, Lancaster University (2019).