Six questions with Eimear Fanthorpe, visiting scholar from Ireland 

Fanthorpe is a lecturer in EU Law and Contract Law, as well as a DPhil candidate in Law at the University of Oxford. Her research is focused on a comparative analysis of the EU’s Water Framework Directive and the United States’ Clean Water Act. Fanthorpe will be with KU Law until the end of the fall 2025 semester, with Professor Robin Kundis Craig serving as her faculty liaison.

Tell me a little about yourself. Why did you choose law?
Having a career in law was somewhat unintended for me. I originally pursued a career in finance and accounting but found myself increasingly drawn to the legal frameworks behind the financial systems I was learning about. I took the plunge, hoping that switching paths to law would be the right choice for me. Luckily, it was, and now, a decade later, I haven’t looked back.

Why did you choose to come to KU Law?
KU Law stood out for its expertise in water law, which has been the core of my legal research to date. I had read Professor Robin Craig’s work on the Clean Water Act and reached out to her to see if she’d be willing to have a Zoom call. One thing led to another, and here I am at KU. Since being here, I’ve had the privilege of not only working with Professor Craig but also connecting with other members of KU’s faculty, who have been so welcoming and excited to talk with me about my research, share their views on the U.S. legal system and show me the best places to eat in Lawrence.

What are your professional goals for your time at KU Law?
I’m working toward completing my DPhil (PhD) in Law and hope to contribute to KU through teaching and research. After my time here, I plan to practice law in London while continuing to grow my academic work — and who knows, maybe a return to the U.S. after that!

How does the academic and research environment at KU Law differ from your home institution?
KU is smaller and more centralized, which makes it easy to connect with people. I’ve really enjoyed the spontaneous, thoughtful conversations with faculty and students — everyone is so open and engaged.

What are your favorite things about Lawrence? What about your home do you miss the most?
Lawrence has a fantastic food scene, especially the bakeries. But I do miss “Irish tea” quite a bit.

What advice would you offer to other scholars who may want to do research abroad?
Come with an open mind and a willingness to learn from a new legal culture. Instead of just comparing systems, ask questions that help you understand the deeper nuances and history of the place you're in.