Research Affiliate
Dr. Jane Herlihy
Jane Herlihy is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Emotion and Law, Royal Holloway, University of London. She also serves as an Honorary Lecturer at University College London. With extensive experience in clinical psychology, particularly in trauma and refugee contexts, she has dedicated her career to examining the psychological factors that influence legal and judicial processes in refugee status determinations.
Dr. Herlihy’s research focuses on the intersection of psychology and law, particularly the role of psychological processes in asylum claim decision-making. Her work explores critical questions such as: What psychological factors influence perceptions of credibility in refugee hearings? How do trauma and memory discrepancies affect the legal assessments of asylum seekers? Through her investigations, she aims to improve the integration of psychological evidence into legal frameworks, enhancing the fairness and reliability of asylum processes.
Areas of Expertise
In 2005 Dr. Herlihy co-founded the Centre for the Study of Emotion and Law with Dr. Stuart Turner. As executive director and principal researcher from 2005 to 2017, Dr. Herlihy led groundbreaking studies that have shaped the study of psychological processes in refugee status decision making, such as memory, trauma, the detection of deception, and emotion – in claimants, lawyers, interviewers and decision makers. She has contributed significantly to various international projects, advising on best practices for assessing psychological evidence in asylum processes and providing training for judges and decision-makers.
Dr. Herlihy is widely published, with numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals addressing the complexities of memory, trauma, and legal decision-making. Her recent work highlights the importance of psychological insights in improving credibility assessments within asylum procedures.
In addition to her academic contributions, Dr. Herlihy actively participates in professional organizations, serving as a reviewer for several leading psychology and law journals. She has been involved in training initiatives across Europe, including the United Nations High Commission for Refugees Executive Committee in Geneva and has been an expert speaker at conferences such as the European Union Ministerial Conference, advocating for the integration of psychological research in legal settings.
Dr. Herlihy holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from University College London, along with an MPhil from the University of Wales, Cardiff, and a BSc in Linguistics and French from the University of Birmingham. Her commitment to advancing the understanding of psychological factors in law continues to influence both academic research and practical applications in the field.