This book is an updated and amended version of the Ph.D. thesis I defended in November 2022 at Queen Mary University of London. I am profoundly grateful to my supervisors, Professor Malgosia Fitzmaurice and Doctor Matthieu Burnay, whose encouragement and generous support have been instrumental in guiding me through the entire doctoral journey. Their invaluable guidance and insightful comments have benefitted this book greatly. I am also thankful for the valuable feedback provided by Professor Catherine Brölmann and Doctor Rebecca Bates during the examination of my Ph.D.
I would like to extend my appreciation to the participants who generously contributed to the questionnaire which was drawn up and disseminated as part of this research. Your invaluable time and expertise have greatly enriched this study, and I am truly grateful for your participation.
My sincere thanks are due to Brill and particularly Ms Ingeborg van der Laan for her kind assistance in preparing this book. I am also indebted to the anonymous reviewer of my manuscript for their comments and feedback.
It is appropriate for me to acknowledge the financial support received by the London Arts and Humanities Partnership and the Arts & Humanities Research Council as part of UK Research & Innovation which enabled my Ph.D. research upon which this book is based.
I also owe this work to my parents and sisters. Their encouragement, support and understanding have been instrumental in bringing this book to fruition.
This project would not have been possible without the encouragement I have received from my fellow colleagues and friends who tirelessly offered their support and insights – thank you Pauline, Marta, and Clementina.
Finally, to you, Cameron – my unwavering rock in everything. Thank you for inspiring me every day.
London, June 2023