Namrata Bhowmik is currently studying an LLM in Data Protection and Intellectual Property at our Moorgate campus. Here, she shares her passion for neurotechnology, her experiences as an international student and her growth, both academically and personally.
By April Baniqued. Published 19 January 2026.
What are your career aspirations?
I aspire to become a legal researcher and policy consultant specialising in neurotechnology law, intellectual property and data governance. My journey began in India, where I saw how rapidly technology was evolving, often faster than the law could keep up. I wanted to be part of shaping those legal frameworks. I wanted to protect people’s minds, data and creative work in a world increasingly influenced by AI and brain-computer interfaces.
What drew you to The University of Law?
I have always known that I wanted to pursue higher education in a place that values both academic diligence and practical learning. When I discovered the University’s LLM in Data Protection and Intellectual Property course, it felt like the perfect fit. The course aligned with my passion for technology law. It also offers real-world insights into how IP and data protection are applied in practice. The decision was sealed when I saw how the University encourages independent research and industry engagement. I liked how it’s not just about textbooks but about leading conversations that shape the future of law.
What motivated you to study abroad?
I decided to study abroad because I wanted to immerse myself in an academic environment where technology law is actively evolving and debated. The UK, being one of the global leaders in AI and data protection frameworks, offered that opportunity. My experience at the University has been pivotal to my growth. Beyond the classroom, London itself has become a living lab where every conversation, seminar and networking event has deepened my understanding of how international collaboration can drive responsible innovation.
What challenges have you faced as an international student?
The experience of an international student is layered. It’s not just about pursuing a degree. It’s about leaving behind your country, your comfort, your family and everything familiar to chase a dream in a place where even the weather and culture feel new. There’s always the unspoken pressure of justifying that bold move, to prove your worth and make it all count.
As you grow, the path becomes deeply transformative. Living and studying abroad teaches you that growth isn’t only about personal success. It’s about rising while lifting others. It shapes resilience, independence and a quiet confidence that comes only from stepping outside your protective bubble. This journey, in all its challenges and discoveries, has truly helped me. I found not just my academic direction but also a deeper understanding of who I am becoming.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I have always been curious about how different disciplines connect. During college, I discovered how art and law could intersect. This led me to explore intellectual property and fashion law, and eventually technology law. For me, creativity isn’t limited to art. It’s finding patterns across disciplines and weaving them into something meaningful. That perspective drives my research.
What recent achievements are you proud of?
One of my proudest milestones has been founding the GenNeuroSociety Research Lab (GNSRL). It is an interdisciplinary research initiative dedicated to exploring the legal, ethical, technical, genetic and psychological dimensions of neurotechnology. Topics include neurodata ownership, mental privacy and cognitive liberty. The lab has been backed and encouraged by leading global figures such as Dr. Karen Herrera-Ferrá and has recently attracted multiple collaboration opportunities with renowned universities and healthcare startups. GNSRL has also received an offer to author a forthcoming Springer Brief titled From Genotype to Generative Models.
Beyond GNSRL, I am also contributing a book chapter for Elsevier on Ethical and Regulatory Challenges in 6G Healthcare. Each of these projects deepens my commitment to advancing ethical innovation at the intersection of law and technology.
Perhaps the most personal accomplishment has been learning to trust myself again. I learned to break through the shell of social anxiety and believe in my own instincts. Every achievement, big or small, has reminded me that growth is not just about what we build externally but also about how much we evolve within.
Who has supported you at the University?
I am deeply grateful to my professors, Dr. Anna Elmirzayeva and Ms. Velkova for being such incredible mentors. It was through Dr. Elmirzayeva that my interest in legal research and neurotechnology truly piqued. She helped me see how law can shape the ethical boundaries of innovation.
Ms. Velkova has been my constant guide throughout my thesis. She supported me not just academically but personally. She has always been patient, encouraging and approachable. Her warmth and empathy made the entire research process feel far less daunting. I’ll always value the confidence she helped me build in my own work.
How have the University’s services supported your career?
The Employability Service has been invaluable. I found their CV workshops and one-to-one sessions to be especially helpful in turning students’ experiences into career-ready skills. They also connected me with opportunities that enhanced my confidence, both as a researcher and a communicator.
What university initiatives have you participated in?
I’ve made it a point to engage with opportunities that align with my interests in technology and legal research. I often attended events listed in the University’s newsletter. Many provided valuable exposure to current discussions in law and innovation.
One highlight for me was being recognised as a runner-up in the ULTRA (University Legal Technology Research Academy) Student Ambassador Competition 2024. The experience was rewarding. It pushed me to articulate my ideas on emerging technologies and the law with confidence. It also allowed me to connect with peers who share similar passions.
What advice would you like to give to students?
I recently read an essay about how growth often means learning to exist with uncertainty. It explained how the best things happen when we stop trying to control outcomes and start trusting the process. It helped me realise how liberating it can be to let go of that pressure. Progress doesn’t always look like success. Sometimes it’s quiet, internal, even invisible. The more I learn, the more I understand that growth isn’t about knowing. It’s about becoming.
My advice for other students is to stay curious and don’t be afraid to explore beyond your discipline. Always trust your instincts. Keep learning and collaborate fearlessly. Remember that passion will always take you further than perfection.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself pursuing a PhD in neurotechnology law and leading research at the intersection of AI, ethics and human rights. I am ideally building global frameworks for mental data protection. I also hope to expand GNSRL into a multidisciplinary platform connecting young lawyers, neuroscientists and engineers to co-create ethical solutions.
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