Since 2021, Dr Claire McCann has worked as a Senior Policy and Research Officer in the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Commission is a National Human Rights Institution with A status accreditation from the United Nations. The Commission was established as a result of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement to protect and promote the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. Since 2021, the Commission’s mandate has included monitoring the UK Government’s commitment to rights and equality in Northern Ireland following withdrawal from the EU.

Claire previously worked in policy and research roles in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Human Rights Consortium, a not-for-profit civil society organisation working to promote human rights in Northern Ireland. Before this Claire worked in higher education as a lecturer/senior lecturer in law, where her teaching and research focused on human rights and constitutional safeguards. Between 2017 and 2023, Claire was a lay member on the Students’ Union Management Board at Queen’s University, Belfast.

Her PhD in Law was awarded by Queen’s University, Belfast. She holds a Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management from the ILM; a Masters in Equality Studies from University College, Dublin; and an undergraduate degree in Law and French from Trinity College, Dublin.