Cress Tomlinson

My research interests centre on construction law, adjudication and alternative dispute resolution within the construction industry, with a particular focus on the experiences and representation of women in construction. Her work explores issues of equality, diversity and inclusion within traditionally male-dominated sectors, examining how legal and dispute resolution mechanisms can support greater participation, professional development and fair treatment of women across the construction industry.

 

Cress is a Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, where she teaches construction law and dispute resolution to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She serves as the Academic Honesty Officer for the School of the Built Environment and is actively involved in supporting academic standards and student development. A qualified solicitor with more than 25 years of professional experience and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, she combines academic expertise with extensive legal and industry practice. Her professional activities also include serving as an External Examiner, contributing to quality assurance and curriculum enhancement across higher education institutions, while maintaining engagement with the fields of construction law, adjudication, and alternative dispute resolution.

Cress's work bridges academia, legal practice, and the construction industry, generating impact through her teaching, research, and professional engagement. Her student-centred approach to learning, supported by technology-enhanced teaching practices, helps students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence required for professional success. Her research into construction adjudication, dispute resolution, and the experiences of women in construction aims to contribute to current debates on equality, diversity, and inclusion within the built environment. Through her membership of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, engagement with industry practitioners, and role as an External Examiner, she promotes knowledge exchange between higher education and professional practice, ensuring that teaching and research remain relevant, applied, and responsive to industry needs.