Meet Matthew Carn, Lecturer in Law here at Salford Business School. After studying his undergraduate degree abroad in Canada, Matthew acquired a strong interest in property law, particularly how it applies to assets such as cryptocurrency and digital files.
Now an academic, his current research focuses on international humanitarian law and how it interacts with armed conflict.
Continue reading to find out more about why Matthew became an academic, his career highlights and his favourite place to grab a quick coffee.
How did you get into academia?
Academia wasn’t something I had considered before my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, but I remember a number of my lecturers saying it would suit me well.
I loved studying and I worked better without rigid frameworks, taking full ownership over my work (something we tend to forget in higher education in the UK).
After, I went on to do postgraduate work at King’s College London, where I was again encouraged to choose academia as my career path. I’ve been doing it ever since!
Why did you choose to work at the University of Salford?
I strongly believed in the University’s ethos, its belief in encouraging local students, first-generation learners and the diversity of the student body. The University’s place in the local community is something that I still believe in wholeheartedly.
What’s the best thing about being an academic at Salford?
The best thing is getting to work with curious students and supportive colleagues. The best moments are during one-to-one meetings with students, where I clarify content and offer assessment support, particularly with supervising undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations. Also, it’s great to socialise with colleagues outside of the classroom between classes and share the best practice of working with students.
Can you tell us about your career highlights to-date?
I had the opportunity to lecture a cohort of 1,000 students at the Institute of Education in London. This was during King’s College London’s induction week with undergraduate and postgraduate law students, and it was an amazing opportunity to share my expertise in the field.
What’s your current research focused on?
My current research focuses on the property in English law and how it applies to emerging assets such as digital files, cryptocurrency, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Also, my PhD is in International Humanitarian Law, where I focus on researching autonomous and semi-autonomous weapons systems, and the practical application of international human law in contemporary armed conflict.
Do you have any published papers we can read?
These are a selection of research journals I have worked on:
- Social Media Influence: A New Frontier in Proprietary Rights? Trusts & Trustees (2023).
- Current Issues in Succession Law. Trust Law International (2017).
- Distinguishing Traditional from Commercial Trusts: A Dangerous Precedent or Necessary Complication? Trusts & Trustees (2015).
And finally, the all important question, where in Manchester or Salford is best to grab coffee?
I have to say The Old Fire Station. It has been a favourite of mine since it reopened. The baked goods are amazing, the coffee is great, and the staff are always friendly. It helps that it’s just across Crescent from the Maxwell Building as well.