Professor Joe Tomlinson

PhD Law (2017; LLB (Hons) Law (2013)

Joe is Professor of Public Law at the University of York. He talks about what led him to choose this career path following his studies at Manchester.

My current role and how I got there

I am currently Professor of Public Law at the University of York, and also a member of the Academic Panel at Blackstone Chambers. My work focuses on how the public law system can be improved, and I often work closely with practitioners, government, politicians, and charities to both undertake research and try to achieve positive change.

I received my LL.B and PhD at the University of Manchester, and completed my bar course as Queen Mother’s Scholar (Middle Temple). Prior to joining York, I held lectureships at King’s College London and the University of Sheffield. Outside of academia, I served as the Research Director of the Public Law Project—a legal NGO in London—from 2017-2021 and I have also held various advisory roles, including in Parliament.

My experience at Manchester

I grew up in Manchester and was keen to stay in the city, particularly to experience living and studying in the city centre. The law degree at Manchester is also widely respected and that helped me make the decision.

I came to the University of Manchester thinking I would probably try to get a job in commercial law practice. However, I quickly developed an interest in law and government (public law), and then in becoming an academic lawyer. Being the first in my family to attend University, I was not familiar with what academics do! However, my tutors helped me develop that understanding and advised me on how I could pursue a PhD. One of those tutors became my PhD supervisor and we still work closely together now – our first co-authored book is due out soon!

How did your course set you up for your career path?

It introduced me to the subject that I now spend my whole professional life working on! I had excellent tutors in public law at the University of Manchester and they gave me a great grounding in both the theory and practice of the subject. Looking back, the lectures I received on public law in my first year at the University still shape how I approach the subject today.

I expected my law degree to teach me how to argue but I was surprised about the extent to which it taught me how to write well. So much of what I spend my time doing now depends on my ability to write for various audiences and my time at the University of Manchester gave me a great grounding.

My advice for future students

Take time to let your interests develop through your degree. Nobody really knows what area of law they will like until they spend time studying it and trying to understand it. If you don’t like law at all, a law degree will still give you a great foundation for a wide range of other careers.