The Obstinate Jury: A comparative study of mock rape trial juries in Northern Ireland

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My project will bring together members of the public from all over Northern Ireland to observe scripted versions of a fictitious but typical rape trial, participate in a number of mock jury panels and deliver verdicts. I aim to analyse what role false beliefs about rape and pre-conceived ideas about the behaviour of rape victims play in jury deliberations and how jurors influence each other's decision-making processes. I shall be collaborating with Women's Aid Northern Ireland to help me bring authenticity of rape victims' experiences to my trial script and also assess the implications of my research and potential applications for law and society.