Sean Thomas

Biography

Sean joined Durham University as a Senior Lecturer in August 2015, having previously held positions at the University of Leicester (2010-13, Lecturer in Commercial Law; 2013-15, Senior Lecturer in Commercial Law) and Anglia Ruskin University (2008-10, Senior Lecturer in Law). He holds an LLB from Durham University and a PhD from the University of Manchester (where he was a Graduate Teaching Assistant). He also hold a PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Research Interest

Sean’s research concerns, broadly, the transfer of ownership of personal property. He approaches this fundamental issue from multiple disciplinary perspectives, particularly historical, comparative and doctrinal angles. He has expertise in title conflicts (particularly comparative analysis with United States law), the historical development of commercial law, and the interface between goods and intellectual property. He also has a longstanding interest in radical property practices, and his work on freeganism has been cited widely across disciplinary boundaries and has attracted media and other interest. Sean is also engaged in the Secured Transactions Law Reform Project, where he works with academics and practitioners in the specific area of priorities.