LLM Position at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law, in Privacy and Technology Law

An LLM scholarship and research assistant stipend is available for an eligible candidate to undertake master’s level research in connection with the project, “Online Abuse: Developing the Tort of Privacy for the Digital Age,” funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The principal investigator, who will supervise the candidate’s thesis, is Professor Emily Laidlaw.
This project seeks to develop privacy law; in particular, the tort of invasion of privacy, to better address the privacy impact of online abuse. This project seeks to holistically tackle the subject matter, from conceptualizing the model to the remedies that protect it, to the future of the tort with emerging technologies. This project is currently in year two (2019-2020) of a four-year project. The first stage of the project involved a return to first principles to re-imagine the tort of privacy in light of new technologies. In the next stage, the investigator will explore specific technology issues in the area of online abuse and privacy, including, among other things, issues of intermediary liability, cybersecurity, automation and artificial intelligence, and dispute resolution. The successful candidate would serve as a research assistant to the investigator to explore these and similar topics.
The successful candidate will, in consultation with the investigator, identify an LLM thesis topic that advances the research goals and methods of the project. Preference will be given to candidates with previous course work and / or practice experience in the areas of technology law and/or privacy. Excellent knowledge of the Canadian legal system is required.
The successful candidate must meet the admission and program requirements for the thesis-based LLM program, identified here: https://www.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore- programs/law-master-laws-thesis-based. Applications are due by January 15, 2020. The deadline is firm for international students but may be flexible for Canadian/permanent resident candidates.
The successful candidate will receive funding of $12,000 with potential further funding, which may be in the form of a Graduate Assistantship, a scholarship, or a combination of the two at the discretion of the Graduate Program Director, in consultation with the principal investigator. The funding is renewable for a second year provided that the candidate remains in good standing. The successful candidate should be available to commence their program in September 2020.
For further information about the research project please contact Emily Laidlaw at [email protected]. For information about the LLM program and admission / application requirements and process, please contact Eunice Wong, [email protected]. 

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