The School of Law and Criminology is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Hilkka Becker as an Adjunct Professor in Law. Ms. Becker brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, and we are thrilled to have her join our academic community. Ms. Becker currently serves as Chairperson of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, a quasi-judicial body with a pivotal role in the Irish international protection system. Her extensive legal background and contributions to the field of migration and asylum law make her a highly esteemed addition to the School.
In welcoming Ms. Becker, Dr. Fergus Ryan, Head of the School of Law and Criminology, said: “We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of Ms. Becker’s calibre joining us as an Adjunct Professor. Her expertise, leadership, and dedication to the fields of international protection and human rights law are inspiring, and we look forward to the many ways in which her appointment will enrich our research, teaching, and engagement initiatives. On behalf of the School, I wish to extend our warmest congratulations and deepest gratitude to Ms. Becker for taking up this role.”
Ms. Becker’s distinguished career spans over 25 years in leadership and management roles across private practice, NGOs, IGOs, and the public sector. She served as Senior Solicitor at the Immigrant Council of Ireland – Independent Law Centre for over a decade and as Regional Legal Advisor with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Additionally, she has provided consultancy services to IOM offices in Western Balkan states and Azerbaijan and worked as a solicitor in private practice and Legal Officer with the Irish Refugee Council.
Beyond her legal practice, Ms. Becker is an experienced trainer, public speaker, and judicial trainer for the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA) and the Academy of European Law (ERA). She is actively involved in the International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges (IARMJ), a Board Member of the Irish Centre for European Law (ICEL), a Fellow of McLaughlin College at York University, Toronto, and a member of both the Justice and Home Affairs Group and the Germany Group of the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA). Ms. Becker’s authorship of various book chapters and articles further underscores her depth of knowledge and contributions to the legal profession. Her appointment as Adjunct Professor is a testament to her extraordinary commitment to advancing understanding and practice in her field.
As part of her new role, Ms. Becker will join an upcoming workshop in Maynooth University on Forced Migration in January 2025, as a speaker and participant. We warmly welcome Ms. Becker to the School of Law and Criminology and look forward to the impactful contributions she will undoubtedly make in her new role.