Charting a Path in Law, Advocacy, and Scholarship: My Journey Since Queen Mary
CCLS alumna Sylvia Agu discusses her career journey since leaving CCLS and scholarly contributions, including her recent book on children in street situations
Sylvia Agu (Public International Law LLM, 2009) updates us on what she has been doing since finishing her course at the School of Law: “After my 2009 LLM at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), I committed to legal practice and scholarship in human rights and protecting marginalised children. Further studies at Cardiff University and a doctorate from Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel (CAU), Germany, expanded my expertise in law, research, and policy across the UK and Europe.
My early career included roles with UK-based charitable organisations, such as Save the Children and Centre 404. At Save the Children I worked on issues related to the impact of armed conflict on children’s education, while at Centre 404 I supported families with children living with disabilities. These experiences instilled a nuanced understanding of the interplay between law, policy, and social justice, influencing my later advocacy and scholarly pursuits. At the Overseas Development Institute, I strengthened my research and policy analysis skills, contributing to projects for governments and international organisations.
Following that, I conducted research and lectured at the Walther Schücking Institute for International Law, VICTORIA International University of Applied Sciences, and Bucerius Law School, all in Germany, between 2011 – 2024. My academic work encompassed subjects in international criminal law and the international legal rights of children. I had an editorial role, notably as Assistant Editor for the German Yearbook of International Law (Vols. 54-56), deepening my engagement with scholarly discourse.
I qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 2019 and practiced Family, Property, Litigation, and Immigration Law in London. I also managed compliance and accreditation matters, which strengthened my abilities in due diligence, dispute resolution, and regulatory governance. Throughout, a dedication to ethical standards and integrity has remained central to my approach.
Currently, as Business Compliance Officer in Germany since 2025, I advise on global compliance and regulatory strategy, blending legal acumen with a forward-looking approach to ethical enterprise within the Shipping Industry.
Central to my recent work is my scholarly book published in 2025, which was a product of my CAU doctoral thesis, providing an in-depth analysis of international legal instruments relating to children in street situations. The book integrates treaty interpretation and soft law guidance, exploring the root causes and consequences of street life. It systematically addresses intersectional issues including minority, disability, girl-child, LGBTQI+, and migrant rights, combining legal, sociological, and political perspectives. By making children in street situations ‘visible’ as a unique category, the book delivers practical frameworks for policy, social work, and advocacy, highlighting future directions for research and action.
I am a member of The Childhood, Law & Policy Network - The Childhood, Law & Policy Network (CLPN) at QMUL. My journey since QMUL has been one of ongoing learning, advocacy, and bridging the gap between legal theory and practice. Through legal practice, teaching, or scholarly writing, I remain committed to strengthening legal protections for all and promoting ethical, impactful change within and beyond the legal profession in other aspects of our everyday lives.”
You can find out more about Centre 404 on their website. Home - Centre404