Professor Nicole Watson appointed Director of Indigenous Law and Justice Hub
Melbourne Law School has appointed distinguished academic Professor Nicole Watson as the next Director of the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub.
The Hub is the University of Melbourne’s leading institute for education and research dedicated to Indigenous advocacy and self-governance, bringing together legal experts and community leaders to strengthen understanding of Indigenous cultures, legal systems, and Indigenous peoples’ experiences of settler law.
Professor Nicole Watson is a Birri Gubba and Munanjali woman with extensive experience in law and policy affecting Indigenous communities and Indigenous peoples’ participation in legal education.
In May 2024, she was awarded a major ARC grant and serves as Chief Investigator and DAATSIA Fellow for the project Raising the Bar: Learning from the Life Stories of Indigenous Lawyers (2024‑2027) – work highlighting the experiences of Indigenous legal professionals and providing insights toward a more inclusive legal education and practice.
Professor Watson is also a David Unaipon Award winning author for her 2011 crime novel, The Boundary, and a former columnist for the National Indigenous Times.
She said the Hub’s strong relationships across community offered a unique opportunity for significant progress in educating emerging lawyers and the public on Indigenous self-determination.
“This is a great opportunity to continue the important work of the Hub, and I'm looking forward to working alongside Hub students and staff to shape a more inclusive legal future.”
Melbourne Law School Dean, Professor Michelle Foster said Professor Watson’s appointment marked a new chapter for the Law School and for the Hub, as Victoria nears the legislation of Treaty.
“We are thrilled that Professor Watson will guide the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub, leading its vital work amplifying Indigenous expertise on justice and educating law students in support of First Nations justice”.
“Her commitment and experience in this field including her recent work within the Raising the Bar project, showcase her commitment to embedding Indigenous perspectives within legal frameworks and institutions.
“Professor Watson will be a major contributor to the Hub’s expanding reach and impact as our State embarks on the fulfilment of Treaty and the formation of key political and legal apparatus.”
With more than two decades of experience across Australian academia, Professor Watson has held leadership roles across some of Australia’s most prominent institutions.
Most recently she served as Professor at the University of Technology Sydney. Prior to that, she served as Director of the Academic Unit at the Nura Gili Centre for Indigenous Programs at the University of New South Wales, and as Associate Dean (Indigenous) at the University of Sydney Law School.
Professor Watson holds a Doctor of Creative Arts from the University of Technology Sydney, a Master of Laws from Queensland University of Technology, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland.
She will join MLS from University of Technology Sydney on 13th October.
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