EOI for MLS Staff to Attend Access to Justice on Country 2024

MLS is offering an opportunity for staff member(s) to travel to Darwin for two weeks this July to support MLS students taking the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub’s intensive JD subject, Access to Justice on Country. This is a great chance for a staff member to support students on the subject, while taking time to build relationships and reflect on First Nations Justice in Australia, Indigenous legal pedagogy and more.

About the Experience

The Hub’s experiential intensive JD subject Access to Justice on Country is a departure from conventional legal education practices, taught as an ‘On-Country’ learning experience delivered on Larrakia Country (Darwin), as well as pre-departure classes taught on Wurundjeri Country at MLS.

This subject places students at the forefront of justice reform. Through conversations with key organisations in the Territory justice sector, students explore the historic and contemporary context of Aboriginal justice in the Northern Territory and in Victoria; community understandings of what ‘justice’ means and who gets to define it; their own positionality in relation to justice; ethical obligations of lawyers to improve access to justice; access to justice policy in Australia and the role of Aboriginal organisations in achieving meaningful justice outcomes.

Through this trip we will focus on

• Listening to Traditional Owners and Aboriginal organisations and better understanding strengths and real contextual challenges, including:
• Engaging with key organisations and leaders in the Territory justice sector;
• Developing cultural capability and self-understanding.

This experience is led by Dr Eddie Cubillo, Director of the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub and a Larrakia Traditional Owner, with a 30-year career in the justice sector in the Territory including as Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of the Northern Territory, Director of Engagement in the Royal Commission into the Detention and Protection of Children, Chair of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and current member of the national Justice Policy Partnership. His experiences, as well as his personal and professional connections provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn about access to justice on Larrakia land from a range of important voices.

Access to Justice on Country won the 2023 University of Melbourne Award for Excellence and Innovation in Indigenous Higher Education. Watch the 2023  highlights video.

Details

This subject is taught by Dr Eddie Cubillo and Jaynaya Dwyer from the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub.

The subject will run from Sunday 30 June - Saturday 13 July 2024 (14 days).  The staff member must attend the entirety of the trip – applications to support part of the trip will not be considered.

This will be a small group trip, with only 15 MLS student places.

Staff participation in this subject for professional development purposes is supported by the Office of the Dean, in the interest of enhancing knowledge and skills in relation to justice.

Duties

While primarily participating for their own professional development purposes, this staff member is expected to support the smooth running of the trip by:

• Assisting with transport and event logistics as needed (e.g. setting up at venue, driving - although non-drivers are still encouraged to apply)
• General pastoral care support to students during travel
• Participating in the community of the subject such as participating in group reflective sessions during travel and attending at least one pre-departure class (30/4, 4/5, 14/5) to introduce themselves to students (you are welcome to attend all classes)

This staff member is not expected to be involved in any teaching during the travels.

Criteria for Expression of Interest

The ideal candidate for this opportunity will:

• Works well in an energetic, fast paced and changeable environment
• Able to work in a small team and do jobs not specific to their standing
• Acknowledge they are there to learn and be open to new learning experiences
• Be comfortable being in an “outside of the office” experience, including outdoor cultural experiences and camping
• Demonstrate responsiveness to and respect for cultural protocols on Aboriginal land
• Demonstrates interest in utilising learning from subject to contribute to further work in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice objectives, such as teaching and learning at MLS

To Apply

The Hub would like to extend the invitation for Melbourne Law School staff to join them on the 2024 trip and enjoy this unique educational experience. If you are interested in attending, please complete a response to the Expression of Interest form by 9 February 2024, responding to the criteria. You are also welcome to reach out to either Eddie or Jaynaya if you would like further details or to discuss.