Yiran Shi, UCL200 Faculty of Laws Research Scholar

What motivated you to apply for a PhD at UCL  Laws, and what are you most enjoying so far about your programme and the faculty? 

I had two amazing years at UCL Laws prior to starting my PhD, first as an Affiliate LLB student, and then as an LLM student. I’ve always liked how UCL Laws combines serious academic rigour with a warm, inclusive sense of community. Applying to study here again was a natural choice. 

So far, I love the intellectually stimulating and friendly vibe of the PhD community here. I am also grateful for the support from my supervisors and other Faculty members. 

What is the focus of your research at UCL  Laws? 

I work on the justifications for express trusts under English law. I take a bottom-up approach, examining the principles underlying essential trusts law doctrines. I am particularly interested in the relationship between different trusts parties. 

How does receiving the UCL200 Faculty of  Laws  Research Scholarship support your research? 

It is a huge recognition. Also, it eases my financial pressure and allows me to focus on my research. 

What does being part of the UCL200 celebrations mean to you?

Being part of the UCL200 celebrations is exciting as it connects my own journey to UCL’s distinguished history. Learning about the achievements of people who once started just like me is motivating. It also serves as a meaningful reminder of the contributions we can make and the responsibility that comes with being part of this community. 

If you could give one piece of advice to future scholarship applicants, what would it be? 

Be organised. During my application process, I found it very helpful to create a detailed spreadsheet to track all relevant information for potential scholarships, such as application procedures, deadlines, amounts, and eligibility criteria. 

What contribution do you hope your research will make to your field or to society? 

Theoretically, I hope my research can help us better understand the nature of express trust and the contributions it can (and cannot) make to society. Methodologically, I aim to show how private law theory can engage more deeply with the actual details of legal doctrines. Practically, I hope to show how far the express trust concept can be stretched before it breaks, thereby providing a stronger theoretical basis for combating its abusive uses.