Cate specialises in international economic law broadly defined, her thesis focusing specifically on international investment law and investor-state arbitration.

She joined Manchester Metropolitan University in August 2022 in the final stages of completing a PhD in Law and having completed an LLM in Public International Law (Distinction) at the University of Manchester where she was a recipient of an Outstanding Achievement Award and remains affiliated to the Manchester International Law Centre. 

She currently teaches Environmental Law and Equity and Trusts.