Professor Sarah Biddulph

Overview

Sarah Biddulph is Professor of Law at the University of Melbourne. Sarah is Director of the Asian Law Centre in Melbourne Law School (MLS). Sarah is also Assistant Deputy Vice Chancellor - International (China).

In her role as Assistant Deputy Vice Chancellor International – China, Sarah leads Chancellery International’s China-related engagements. Sarah was responsible for developing the University’s China Engagement Plan 2020-2024 which was approved by University Council in March 2020. She is now working across the University to coordinate and facilitate its implementation. Sarah has also produced policy work dealing with academic freedom in international engagements, data and privacy, evaluation and development of risk policies and briefings and has supported China related engagements across the University.

As Director of the Asian Law Centre at MLS, Sarah has both supported and fostered development of collaborative, cross and multi- jurisdictional research, policy work and advocacy and deepening engagement with the judiciary and the legal profession. In early 2020, the Asian Law Centre launched the Asian Legal Conversations site to discuss and compare experiences on issues either raised or exacerbated by COVID-19, which are shared by the jurisdictions of the Asia Pacific region. Amongst other initiatives, in 2022 she initiated the seminar series ‘Celebrating Asian Legal Careers’ and has led ALC colleagues in building a supportive professional community and engagements (including two successful grant applications) with the Afghan Women Judges based in Melbourne who fled the Taliban.

Sarah’s research focuses on the Chinese legal system with a particular emphasis on legal policy, law making and enforcement as they affect the administration of justice in China. Sarah’s particular areas of research are contemporary Chinese administrative law, criminal procedure, labour, comparative law and the law regulating social and economic rights.