Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal Statement
Adam is currently Lecturer in Public Law at the University of Strathclyde. He teaches at both UG and PG levels on topics including constitutional law, administrative law, digital regulation, and public law dimensions of algorithmic decision-making. He is also a founding member and PhD Supervisor in the Strathclyde Centre for Doctoral Training (SCDT) in Human Rights-Based Decision-Making.
From 2019-2022 Adam worked as a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, on the international and interdisciplinary FATAL4JUSTICE? Programme. He was responsible for developing and delivering research pertaining to social and legal issues in the use of algorithmic decision-making (ADM) tools in criminal justice. During his time at Birmingham, Adam also served as a founding member of the LEADS Lab (Legal, Ethical and Accountable Digital Society).
Prior to his role at Birmingham, Adam worked as a Research Assistant for King's College London and the Public Law Project, investigating the use of ADM tools by public authorities in England and Wales. He also holds a PhD in Law from Queen's University Belfast, funded by the Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Cybersecurity and Society (LINCS).
Adam is currently writing a monograph due for publication by Edward Elgar Publishing, entitled 'The Algorithmic State: Power, Constitutionalism and the Future of Administrative Law.'
Research Interests
Adam's research is primarily motivated by a desire to critically analyse and understand the ways in which the exercise of public power - conferred upon public authorities in pursuit of defined legal duties and obligations - is transformed and/or displaced through the design and deployment of digital decision-making tools and platforms. Led by a concern for preventing potential abuse(s) of power in this context, his research engages with concepts including constitutionalism, surveillance, privacy and data protection, human rights, and legal and political theory.
Adam has published his research in a range of academic journals, including Legal Studies and Public Law. He has provided expert advice on the use of ADM tools in the public sector, to public bodies and other organisations including the Office for AI, the Public Law Project, and the Raad Van State in the Netherlands.
Teaching Interests
Adam currently teaches the following modules at Strathclyde:
Semester 1
- Administrative Law (Level 2)
- Administrative Law (Hons.)
- Regulating Technology (PGT)
Semester 2
- Constitutional Law (Level 1)
- Law, Power and Accountability in the Algorithmic Society (PGT)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Active
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INTERNALLY FUNDED: Strathclyde Centre for Doctoral Training in Human Rights-based Decision-Making (£132,000)
Harkens, A. (Co-investigator), Miyake, E. (Co-investigator), Nicol, E. (Co-investigator), Ntona, M. (Co-investigator), Schippers, B. (Co-investigator) & Webster, E. (Co-investigator)
1/10/23 → 31/03/27
Project: Internally funded project
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How algorithmic policing challenges fundamental rights protection in the EU: lessons from the United Kingdom
Harkens, A., 11 May 2025, The Challenges of Artificial Intelligence for Law in Europe . Varju, M. & Mezei, K. (eds.). Springer, 25 p. (Data Science, Machine Intelligence, and Law).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Generative AI and Courts in the UK: a Candle in a Hurricane
Harkens, A. & Morison, J., 23 Apr 2025, (Accepted/In press) Cambridge Handbook on Courts and AI. Zalnieriute, M. & Limante, A. (eds.). Cambridge, 14 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Regulating the Digital Welfare State: Could a Human Rights-Based Approach Prevent Harm in Algorithmic Decisions?
Harkens, A. (Speaker), Schippers, B. (Speaker) & Nicol, E. (Speaker)
5 Mar 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Regulating Predictive Policing in Europe
Harkens, A. (Participant)
12 Feb 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course