Affiliated Researcher attached to A/Porf Sorcha MacLeod's European Research Council project MERCURY - Mercenarism and the Accountability Void: Finding routes to accountability and remedy for the victims of human rights abuses perpetrated by mercenaries. As a MERCURY Affiliated Researcher, I will collaborate with the Project on: • Drafting a New Zealand Country Case Study on the implementation and application of the International Convention on Mercenarism building on your previous research and adding to MERCURY’s collection of country case studies. And/or an Oceania Country Case Study (including NZ, Australia and Pacific nations). • Exploring the New Zealand sanctions regime relevant to mercenaries and related actors which will feed into the MERCURY team’s broader research on sanctions. • Exploring State cooperation on prosecuting war crimes committed by mercenaries and related actors as a means of helping to ensure accountability for victims of mercenarism with a view to further collaboration. In addition, I will join the team in Copenhagen for a research stay (22 September-10 October 2025) funded by the MERCURY project.

This Fellowship is supporting Marnie to pursue the Women’s Leadership Development Programme offered by the University of Oxford and study towards the Heke Ahunga Tikanga (Diploma in Māori Laws and Philosophy) offered by Te Wānanga o Raukawa. This Fellowship support women to have an impact in the legal world, to use their influence in the law, and to serve their communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is for women who show resilience, grit, determination and strength of character to be a pioneer or leader in the legal world in Aotearoa New Zealand.