Kajsa E Dinesson, Lecturer, York Law School
Kajsa Dinesson is a Lecturer in Law at York Law School. Her research focuses on criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence in theory and in practice.
Her most recent work explores the implementation of terrorism offences and their impact on vulnerable defendants, in particular in relation to neurodiversity and mental health.
email: kajsa.dinesson@york.ac.uk
Our 60-second interview with Kajsa:
Could you please tell us what work you do in the field of mental health?
My ongoing research explores how broadly drafted and vaguely defined terrorism offences have been implemented in practice across the UK, with a particular focus on prosecutorial discretion and evidence. In this work, I discuss patterns of practice and explore in particular how terrorist intent or affiliation, dangerousness, and risk are assessed and evidenced at trial; and I discuss in particular how this seems to be affecting defendants with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I also have an ongoing interest in mental states and mens rea in the criminal law, where my current work explores defences and insanity in theory and in practice.
What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?
I find that mental health research is an area where scholars can and do come together from a diverse range of disciplines to share ideas and bring about important and impactful change in the world.
What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?
This is an area of research, law and policy, and society more widely which can all move both very quickly and very slowly, and often out of step with each-other. This makes the work we do very challenging at times, but all the more important and rewarding.
What impact do you hope your work is having - or can potentially have?
I hope my work will help shape how the law responds to and interacts with individuals involved in the justice process, mental health, and legal questions about the mind more generally. My research into practice speaks to ongoing problems which need addressing, and my theoretical work speaks to the need to examine dominant understandings and long-standing legal and social concepts around the person and the mind from a critical lens. I aspire for my work to inform both theory and practice going forward.
Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?
I do my best to take regular breaks. It’s easy, I think, to get so absorbed in our work and our daily goings-on that we let the world pass by without notice. I find it's very important to remember to take the time to step back and have some fresh air, a cup of tea, and just enjoy some little things.