Faculty Focus

Dean visits Asia

Professor Carolyn Evans, Dean of Melbourne Law School, visited Asia last month to highlight the Law School's expertise in the area of Asian law and engage with alumni in the region.

Professor Carolyn Evans with Professor Zhand Shouwen 

Professor Evans travelled to Hong Kong and Beijing to build on the Law School's links with the Asian community and top legal educators, together with the Law School's Banking and Finance Law Director of Studies, Mr Andrew Godwin, and Associate Director Alumni, Hellen Blue.

Professor Evans had the pleasure of meeting alumni working and living in the region at a number of receptions. She also met with law firms that have provided employment for Melbourne Law School graduates in Hong Kong and China.

The visit was an important opportunity to engage with fellow deans and explore connections with key Asian institutions including Hong Kong University, Peking University Law School and Tsinghua University Law School in Beijing.

At the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Professor Evans met with Acting Dean, Professor Mike Pendleton. Last year the  two institutions came together to form a degree partnership which gives Melbourne JD students the opportunity to earn the CUHK Master of Laws in Chinese Business Law.

Melbourne Law School's growing connections with key Asian institutions mark a significant stage in the development of its global programs.

Outstanding researcher wins Woodward Medal

Associate Professor Sarah Biddulph, from Melbourne Law School's Asian Law Centre, has won a University of Melbourne Woodward Medal in Humanities and Social Sciences for her book, Legal Reform and Administrative Detention Powers in China.

This is the second consecutive year in which a female academic from the Melbourne Law School has won the award.

Established by former Chancellor Sir Edward Woodward and Lady Woodward, the medal recognises staff for research publications considered to have made the most significant contribution in their field during the previous three years.

Dr Biddulph's book looked at the social and historical background of the use of police detention powers in China. It focussed on three particular powers: detention for education of prostitutes; coercive drug rehabilitation; and re-education through labour. Dr Biddulph then looked at the ways in which China's developing establishment of the rule of law has impacted on the use and definition of these powers.

On receiving the medal in February, Dr Biddulph said she was delighted by the unexpected award.

"Academics at the University produce an enormous amount of important research, and this award helps to highlight the extraordinary breadth and depth of important research carried out here," said Dr Biddulph.

The Woodward Medal is awarded by the University annually for published research in two categories: science and technology, and humanities and social sciences.

Image: At Peking University Law School, Professor Carolyn Evans met the Dean, Professor Zhang Shouwen.

This article originally appeared in MLS News, Issue 5, May 2011.