Research at Melbourne Law School not only makes a significant contribution to legal scholarship, but also has an enduring impact on the local, national and international community. Our research has helped inform the way the law is developed and applied, raised awareness of injustice and inequality and developed new practices. We collaborate with industry, other institutions and research organisations, the community, government and not-for-profit organisations to achieve positive research outcomes with global impact.
Here are some of the ways our research is having impact
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Environmental Justice for Local Communities
At a time when the Victorian Government was grappling with an environmental justice strategy for its state, Dr Brad Jessup was exploring the bounds and meaning of that concept locally, framed through the understanding and experience of community encounters with the law.
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Tackling climate change through the law
A strategy for climate change litigation developed by Professor Jacqueline Peel has enabled environmental groups across the world to win legal cases closing or stopping development of coal-fired power stations.
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Employment Law and Enforcement
Associate Professor Tess Hardy’s expertise has informed a number of recent government consultations, including as part of the Attorney General’s Department industrial relations reform working group and the Senate Inquiry into Unlawful Underpayment of Employees’ Remuneration.
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Supporting Traditional Owners to win water rights
In 2020 the Victorian State government returned 2 billion litres of water to the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC), reflecting outcomes of the Cultural Water for Cultural Economies project led by Dr Erin O’Donnell and Professor Lee Godden.
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Justice for Defendants with Personality Disorders
Dr Jamie Walvisch’s research on crime and mental health has helped inform court decisions on personality disorders.