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There is growing uncertainty around what studying in the UK really offers international students today. With visa rules tightening, costs rising, and political rhetoric becoming increasingly hostile, many students are left questioning their future long-term after graduating from U.K. institutions. In this episode of Yours Lawfully, we explore why student visas have become such a charged issue in the UK. Joined by Dr Mihnea Cuibus from the Oxford Migration Observatory, we look beyond the headlines to understand what the data actually tells us about student migration. Our conversation covers post-Brexit visa reforms, cross-party support for restricting student numbers, the lasting impact of the pandemic, and why international students so often find themselves at the centre of the public and media debate.

‘There’s a historic perception that people who buy the lower price dupe were never going to buy the branded product anyway’    Whether you’re chronically online or a staunch high street shopper, you are bound to have encountered a dupe. They have become an unavoidable aspect of shopping, with many consumers being actively praised for finding them. Navigating them in the context of intellectual property law has proven to be challenging, with the rise of social media accelerating the need for it to keep up.     In this episode, which was produced by qLegal for the TMT institute, we are joined by Deniz Toker, a Trademark Associate, and Kerri Ann Hazzard, a Senior Trademark Attorney, both at Baker McKenzie. In our conversation, Toker and Hazzard discuss how dupe culture emerged, social media’s influence on dupe culture, changing consumer behaviour and psychology, and what IP avenues brands can use to take action against dupes.  

In this episode of Yours Lawfully, we explore the legal and social implications of 5G and edge computing - two technologies reshaping how we connect and communicate. From intellectual property battles over FRAND licensing to complex questions of data ownership in edge environments, our discussion highlights the challenges at the intersection of law, technology, and society. We also examine pressing issues of regulation, cybersecurity, and global rollout, including lessons from past controversies like the Huawei ban. Join us as we connect the dots between innovation and responsibility in the rapidly evolving world of 5G and beyond. 

In this episode of Yours Lawfully, we explore how the telecom industry is navigating the growing demand for sustainability in a fast-changing regulatory environment. With guest Jackie Esono, Regulatory Advisor at Wiggin, we discuss the policies and directives driving energy efficiency, renewable adoption, and Environmental, Social, Governance transparency. From compliance with frameworks like the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive to the risks of greenwashing and non-compliance, we unpack the legal pressures shaping telecom’s future. Join us as we examine how regulation, accountability, and innovation intersect to build a greener, more responsible telecom industry. 

In this episode of Yours Lawfully, we explore the rise of bots and AI-generated content, alongside our guests Meghan Higgins and Lucia Doran from Pinsent Masons. We discuss the impact of AI on creativity and misinformation, and the legal challenges of regulating this digital shift. From streaming fraud to chatbot liability, we unpack how the law is responding to an increasingly automated online world.

"As with any disruptive technology, the rise of AI brings more than just excitement and also raised some big questions around ethics as well ethics, ownership and fairness." In the second part of this episode, we’re once again joined by Jackie Yiheng Lu, a doctoral researcher in Intellectual Property Law at Queen Mary University of London.  Together with the episode hosts, Jackie unpacks pressing questions: Do audiences notice AI in film—and does it matter if they do? How does AI affect the value we place on traditional art? Can widespread AI usage flatten creative diversity or harm niche cultural expression? The episode explores global inconsistencies in authorship and copyright law, whether disclosure of AI usage should be mandatory, and how artists might protect their legacy in an age of digital replication. From The Irishman, and Forrest Gump to Ghibli-style fan remakes, Jackie examines how AI-enhanced storytelling differs from full AI-generated works—and the consequences that follow.

"It opens up the door to thinking about AI not just as a tool of efficiency, but a new kind of creative, collaborative or generator of experimental content." In this episode of Yours Lawfully, we’re joined by Jackie Yiheng Lu, a doctoral researcher at Queen Mary University of London, specialising in Intellectual Property Law with a focus on moral rights and AI-generated content (AIGC). Drawing on his background in both law and engineering, Jackie offers a unique perspective on how AI is transforming the creative process—from scriptwriting and voice synthesis to deepfakes and digital doubles. Jackie dives into the origins of AI in film, from early use cases like Fast & Furious and Sunspring to today’s increasingly sophisticated tools. He reflects on how AI impacts cultural expression, challenges the value of artistic labour, and raises fairness concerns when AI-assisted performances enter award competitions. The conversation also touches on the cultural implications of homogenised AI outputs, the difficulties in recognising true authorship, and the UK’s unique legal position on computer-generated works—where authorship may be assigned to those making “necessary arrangements,” even without direct creative input. *Please note, this is two-part episode. The second part will be released on 3rd September, a change to schedule as recorded.

‘We need less of pretty dresses and draping and getting any fabric & we need more of designers stepping out, going into laboratories, going into greenhouses, going into these real places and looking for ways that we can find our common problems and our common solutions together.’ Fashion is trendy, fashion is glamorous, fashion is expressive. But have you thought about how fashion can be more? When we look beyond our individual style and what fashion means to the Earth, the words that come to mind might not be as exciting. As an industry, the fashion world is one of the most environmentally damaging in the world. Yet, the trillion-dollar industry remains one of the most profitable, publicised and alluring.  So… how do we reconcile the fashion world and the environmental interests?  Join us in today’s episode with the incredible Ms. Silvia Acién,, founder and creative director of ACIEN, a regenerative fashion knitwear brand that is challenging the status quo of fashion production. Together, we explore the fundamental changes that we must start implementing collectively to enjoy fashion without penalising the planet.  We reflect on past cases where fashion giants have clashed with eco - friendly initiatives, and Silvia shares her own practices, journey and values, persuading us to find inspiration all around us. Sometimes, all it takes to imbibe sustainability in our industries is a shift in mindset - and a little teamwork!

Welcome back to the second part of our episode with Professor Johanna Gibson from Queen Mary University of London. With a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and a Juris Doctor from the University of Queensland, Professor Gibson helped us tackle legal issues regarding the current state of animal rights, and discuss what the future may hold in this evolving landscape. 

“Sentience is in many respects a threshold concept so that means that you reach a certain level of sentience and you get protection. Where is that level and how do we decide it? … There are examples of sentience in invertebrates and in insects and yet why do we not address that in the welfare laws?” From the famous Monkey Selfie Case to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, we explore how technological advancements and our growing understanding of animal sentience could reshape legal personhood. In this first episode, we were joined by Professor Johanna Gibson from Queen Mary University of London. With a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and a Juris Doctor from the University of Queensland, Professor Gibson helped us tackle legal issues regarding the current state of animal rights, and discuss what the future may hold in this evolving landscape. 

“If used in the right way, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has an incredible potential to help detect, prevent, and deter greenwashing”.   The practice of greenwashing has affected the ability of consumers and investors to determine whether the products and companies which they support are indeed environmentally sound. With the evolution and accessibility of AI, it is a question whether how can this technology be an effective tool in detecting greenwashing claims made by corporations.   In this episode, which was produced by qLegal for the TMT Institute, we are joined by Mr. Shashwat Patel. Shashwat is a tri-qualified senior lawyer with over 15 years of experience specializing in corporate and AI transactions. In our conversation, Shashwat discusses the recent breakthroughs and trends in AI, as well as the potential and challenges of using the said innovation in checking environmental and sustainability claims.  

“You can’t just turn 18 and be expected to know how to navigate the digital world.” As social media and digital platforms become an integral part of everyday life, how can we protect children—especially the youngest, from toddlers to infants—from online exposure and data misuse? From privacy concerns to the lasting impact of digital footprints, the legal and ethical challenges continue to evolve. In this episode join us, your hosts Akila Marimuthu and Lou Icard, as we unpack how the law is adapting to protect the digital rights of children. We’re joined by Mercedes Samavi, privacy and data protection expert at Morrison Foerster, to discuss the latest legal frameworks designed to safeguard children’s data. We explore parental responsibilities, platform accountability, and the growing need for regulation in an increasingly connected world. 

As social media becomes increasingly intertwined with our daily lives, how can we protect the most vulnerable among us—toddlers and infants—from the risks of online exposure? From privacy concerns to the long-term impact of digital footprints, the challenges are growing, raising critical questions about responsibility and regulation.  In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Francis Rees, leader of the Child Influencers Projects to explore the legal and ethical implications of sharing children’s lives on social media. We delve into the latest legal frameworks, parental responsibilities, and the role of platforms in safeguarding young users. Join us, Alisha Ishaq, and Lou Icard, as we discuss how the law can adapt to protect the youngest members of our digital society.

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a number of incidents involving AI-generated content raise serious concerns. The use of AI is seen to be prone to abuse which can cause harm. Among the several concerns, AI has become a tool for spreading false information which can potentially tarnish reputation. Given that the use of AI is posed to continually evolve, the need for it to be regulated becomes imminent.  In this episode, we were joined by Helena Siebenrock, a trainee solicitor in the Tech, Media, and Intellectual Property team at CMS UK, to discuss the necessity and challenges in regulating AI. This episode also tackles the latest developments in regulating AI within the European Union and the “principle-based” approach in regulating AI by the United Kingdom. 

For the first episode of this season, we delve into the complex topics of journalism and covering politics in the digital age. With news shaping opinions and driving political decisions, can media outlets maintain trust and credibility in an era of bias, ethical dilemmas, and rapid change? This episode was recorded in December 2024 after the US election, and we dive into the power and responsibility of journalists in shaping narratives and political outcomes.   We discuss these questions with our guest Gabriel Pogrund: the Sunday Times Whitehall Editor, winner of the 2017 Young Journalist of the Year award, and  named Journalist of the Year at the 2023 British Journalism Awards. He has also co-authored the books "Left Out" and "Get In”. Join the hosts Zahra and Nasra for a riveting chat with Mr. Pogrund.