About us

Dr Ciara Brennan is the Director of EJNI. Ciara studied at Queen’s University Belfast and holds an LLB, an MSc in Leadership for Sustainable Development, and a PhD in the enforcement of environmental regulation in Northern Ireland. Ciara has a particular interest in environmental justice and environmental governance in post-conflict societies, climate governance and access to justice. In her capacity as Director and co-founder of EJNI, Ciara has undertaken extensive project management and co-authored multiple reports, policy notes and technical briefings which deal with wide-ranging environmental justice issues on the island of Ireland and across Europe.

Caitlin Mcilhennon is the Deputy Director of EJNI. Caitlin has a Law and French degree from University College Cork (BCL) and a master’s degree in Environmental and Climate Law from University College Dublin (MSc). She leads on EJNI’s communications, network development, access to environmental information projects and EJNI’s Manual of Environmental Justice project. In her capacity as Deputy Director she has engaged in strategic advocacy on climate governance issues at both EU and national level and is a legal & policy researcher working on a range of Just Transition issues on the island of Ireland.

Shea Anderson is the Research Assistant for Environmental Justice Network Ireland. He has a Law degree from Queen’s University Belfast and has carried out research concerning: a needs assessment for the Manual of Environmental Justice, Rights of Nature Council Motions, Strategic Climate Litigation on the Island of Ireland and is now engaged in research regarding planning litigation. He has previously worked with Friends of the Earth on legal research regarding the environmental protection powers of local governments in NI.

Alison Hough BL worked a legal researcher, then practiced as a barrister for 8 years, before becoming a law lecturer with Athlone IT, lecturing in Environmental, Health and Safety Law, Contract Law, Constitutional Law, Equity, and Land Law. Alison has a track record of peer reviewed publications in environmental law journals on the topic of the Aarhus Convention, and on Brexit. She is An Taisce’s Representative on ELIG Bureau (a governmental advisory body examining environmental law implementation in Ireland), and volunteers with a variety of local organisations including AIT FLAC, Westmeath Climate Action Network (WECAN), and New Horizon Refugee Advice and Support.  Alison is interested in collaborative projects in the area of cross-border public participation, and cross-border environmental governance.

Phil Lock is a cyber security consultant with 20 years experience in messaging infrastructure, networking and email authentication. He helps EJNI with operations, infrastructure and email. He has a keen interest in environmental protection and justice in Ireland.