Samantha Spence

Dr Samantha Spence is an academic in the field of international human rights law, with a profound focus on violence against women and girls, the rights of marginalised groups, and legal frameworks addressing witchcraft accusations and anti-superstition laws. Her interdisciplinary approach and critical analysis have significantly contributed to contemporary human rights discourse, marked by a dedication to understanding and addressing the complex intersections of gender, culture, and law. She earned her Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law from Lancaster University, where her dissertation examined the impact of witchcraft accusations on women in India and other developing countries. Her research provided groundbreaking insights into the socio-legal mechanisms that perpetuate gender-based violence and the stigmatisation of women. Dr Spence is an active advocate for human rights on the ground. She collaborates with various non-governmental organisations and international bodies to develop policies and programs aimed at eradicating violence against women and promoting gender equality. Her fieldwork in India and other regions has been instrumental in shaping community-based interventions and legal reforms and she is a regular keynote speaker at University events and conferences held in India. She currently works as the Course Director for Postgraduate Studies in Law and International Studies at Staffordshire University. She is the Co-Director of the International Network Against Accusations of Witchcraft and Associated Harmful Practices, Deputy Chair of the UK National Working Group against Spiritual and Ritual Abuse and Co-Director of Staffordshire University’s Violence Against Women and Girls Hub. She also holds Visiting Professor titles at several institutions in India.