Dr Suzanne Varrall

Overview

Suzanne is a Research Fellow with the ARC Laureate Program on Global Corporate Climate Change Accountability at Melbourne Law School. In this role she examines how multiple transnational legal and regulatory regimes interact to influence evolving global standards and practices for corporate climate action. Suzanne's research and teaching expertise focuses on international humanitarian law, international criminal law and business and human rights. She is particularly interested in how these regulatory regimes contribute to accountability for complex global challenges such as climate change, arms control and gender justice.

Suzanne's doctoral research examined global corporate accountability for transnational arms transfers across multiple regulatory regimes. From 2020-2025, she has been involved in an ARC Discovery Project on gender-sensitive judging at the International Criminal Court. She is a co-editor and contributing author of Feminist Judgments: Reimagining the International Criminal Court (CUP, 2025).

As a lawyer and former policy adviser, Suzanne brings professional expertise in international law and global security. Beginning her career in government, she later moved into legal practice and academic roles. Her 20+ years experience across these sectors provides unique insights into how policy, law and regulation intersect.

Admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Suzanne holds a PhD in international law and a Juris Doctor from UNSW, a Master in International Affairs from ANU, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science (Hons 1st) from Sydney University.

Memberships and affiliations

• Co-Chair, International Peace and Security Interest Group of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law (ANZSIL)
• Member, Research, Best Practice and Policy Committee of Export Controls Australia Group (ECAG)
• Associate of the Australian Human Rights Institute (UNSW)
• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy