Dr Amy Lawton

She has been selected from a strong applicant pool to explore the impact of legal representation in the tax court in both the US and the UK.

Through researching whether taxpayers are more likely to succeed if they can afford to pay for this representation, Dr Lawton seeks to address the important consequences for access to justice and whose voices shape the development of our tax laws.

Dr Lawton said: “I am really proud to be a 24-25 US-UK Fulbright scholar. I am looking forward to learning more about pro bono tax clinics in the UK during my time in Villanova Law School – and I hope to bring some of that learning back to the UK and the Scottish Tax Clinic here in Edinburgh.

“As a Fulbright scholar I will be immersing myself in the Villanova Federal Tax Clinic, as well as looking at whether taxpayers are more (or less) likely to succeed in the tax court if they can afford to pay for professional advice and representation.”

Maria Balinska, executive director, US-UK Fulbright Commission, said: “Our vision is a world where there are no obstacles to learning, understanding and collaboration. Today there are many global challenges to overcome, and the world needs compassionate leaders to tackle them.

“The cohort of awardees will be placing cultural engagement at the heart of their experiences as they undertake ambitious study and research programmes in the US: I am filled with hope for the wonderful collaborations that will ensue.”