International Law and the Anthropocene. This project aims to examine how international law deals with environmental systems in the Anthropocene: the current geological epoch defined by human interference with Earth's biophysical systems. It will assess whether and how international law takes a systemic approach in controlling human impacts upon key environmental spheres (in particular the atmosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere). The project also aims to assess whether environmental re ....International Law and the Anthropocene. This project aims to examine how international law deals with environmental systems in the Anthropocene: the current geological epoch defined by human interference with Earth's biophysical systems. It will assess whether and how international law takes a systemic approach in controlling human impacts upon key environmental spheres (in particular the atmosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere). The project also aims to assess whether environmental regimes are capable of further development to ensure the continued existence of a safe operating space for humanity.Read moreRead less
Financing Human Rights: Global Problems and Possibilities. In global terms, Australia is a rich country with a large aid budget and a strong record of supporting the international advancement of human rights standards, especially in the Asia-Pacific. Australia's private sector also invests heavily in many of our neighbouring states, thereby helping to advance human rights through economic development. But human rights problems persist in many countries in our region. This project seeks to optimi ....Financing Human Rights: Global Problems and Possibilities. In global terms, Australia is a rich country with a large aid budget and a strong record of supporting the international advancement of human rights standards, especially in the Asia-Pacific. Australia's private sector also invests heavily in many of our neighbouring states, thereby helping to advance human rights through economic development. But human rights problems persist in many countries in our region. This project seeks to optimise the impact of the financing of human rights protection in developing countries, and thereby add significantly to the maintenance and promotion of the security, prosperity and welfare of all peoples in our region.Read moreRead less
Leveraging power and influence on the United Nations Security Council. This project examines the fundamental problem of how elected members on the Security Council can influence Council decision-making and norm development. Assembling a research team of international lawyers and political scientists, the project seeks to provide a rigorous, multi-disciplinary evaluation of why and when non-permanent Council members have succeeded in having impact on the Council's decision-making process. Drawing ....Leveraging power and influence on the United Nations Security Council. This project examines the fundamental problem of how elected members on the Security Council can influence Council decision-making and norm development. Assembling a research team of international lawyers and political scientists, the project seeks to provide a rigorous, multi-disciplinary evaluation of why and when non-permanent Council members have succeeded in having impact on the Council's decision-making process. Drawing on recent experiences of elected members, including Australia, the project is expected to advance evidence-based and empirically grounded policy proposals designed to increase the capacity of elected members to exercise power and influence over the Council's agenda and policy.Read moreRead less
Choosing Litigation to Resolve International Law Disputes in the Protection of Australia's Offshore Assets, Its Citizens and Foreign Trade. The potential benefits of this project are far-reaching, as it not only advances scholarly knowledge of the role of litigation in international dispute settlement, but is also intended to promote better governmental, legal, political, and community understanding of international dispute settlement options and to ensure that international law disputes are res ....Choosing Litigation to Resolve International Law Disputes in the Protection of Australia's Offshore Assets, Its Citizens and Foreign Trade. The potential benefits of this project are far-reaching, as it not only advances scholarly knowledge of the role of litigation in international dispute settlement, but is also intended to promote better governmental, legal, political, and community understanding of international dispute settlement options and to ensure that international law disputes are resolved for Australia's benefit. Through the development of a comprehensive and integrated framework for deciding on resort to litigation, this project will enhance Australia's relationships with neighbouring states and allies through successful use of dispute settlement techniques in relation to issues of economic, social and security importance to Australia.Read moreRead less
Combating sexual violence against women post-conflict through ‘transformative’ reparations: problems and prospects. Sexual violence in post-conflict settings is disproportionately experienced by women. Identifying innovative approaches to address this critical global problem is an urgent task. International justice advocates have identified reparations as a tool to ‘transform’ the conditions underlying the violence and to prevent its recurrence. As the International Criminal Court and other trib ....Combating sexual violence against women post-conflict through ‘transformative’ reparations: problems and prospects. Sexual violence in post-conflict settings is disproportionately experienced by women. Identifying innovative approaches to address this critical global problem is an urgent task. International justice advocates have identified reparations as a tool to ‘transform’ the conditions underlying the violence and to prevent its recurrence. As the International Criminal Court and other tribunals begin to design and implement reparation frameworks, it is a crucial time to define the essential elements for this ‘transformation.’ Of equal importance is determining the limits and potential of these institutions to use reparations to reduce sexual violence against women.Read moreRead less
Gender related harms in forced migration: a comparative international study. The recognition of gender-based persecution has been the single most important development in refugee law over the past 20 years. Through comparative analysis of cases and processes we aim to make refugee decision-making more sensitive to gender related harms and assist in developing consistent, coherent and transparent refugee law.
Improving the global governance of sharks: obstacles, options and opportunities. Improving the global governance of sharks is critical in light of their poor conservation status and importance for marine ecosystems. This project will make an important contribution to their conservation and sustainable use by identifying obstacles and opportunities for working better with existing laws and making recommendations for reform.
Geopolitical change and the Antarctic Treaty System. This project aims to analyse current and emerging geopolitical tensions within the Antarctic Treaty System. Geopolitical tension was a key factor in the formation of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and continues to shape the evolution of the wider Antarctic Treaty System. This project will examine critical moments in the history of the Antarctic Treaty System, using a new database of diplomatic documents to identify key indicators of geopolitical te ....Geopolitical change and the Antarctic Treaty System. This project aims to analyse current and emerging geopolitical tensions within the Antarctic Treaty System. Geopolitical tension was a key factor in the formation of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and continues to shape the evolution of the wider Antarctic Treaty System. This project will examine critical moments in the history of the Antarctic Treaty System, using a new database of diplomatic documents to identify key indicators of geopolitical tension. The project aims to draw lessons on successful management of these geopolitical tensions. In doing so, the project intends to address a key focus of the Australian Government's Antarctic 20 Year Strategy and Action Plan, maintaining Australia's influence in Antarctica.Read moreRead less
Terrorism and the international law of armed conflict. This project investigates the scope, effectiveness and legitimacy of the international law of armed conflict as it applies to terrorist and counter-terrorist violence in armed conflicts. It aims to improve understanding of the legal regulation of such violence and thus ultimately to diminish human suffering in war.
Small States' use of law of the sea litigation against greater powers. This project will investigate how small States are using law of the sea dispute settlement mechanisms to gain political advantages in conflicts with greater powers, including Security Council permanent members. It is important to understand how the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea can be leveraged to defend coastal State rights in strategic disputes concerning sovereign rights, unresolved boundaries, and military affairs. ....Small States' use of law of the sea litigation against greater powers. This project will investigate how small States are using law of the sea dispute settlement mechanisms to gain political advantages in conflicts with greater powers, including Security Council permanent members. It is important to understand how the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea can be leveraged to defend coastal State rights in strategic disputes concerning sovereign rights, unresolved boundaries, and military affairs. This research will better equip lawyers and policy makers to understand how such strategic litigation strengthens or undermines the rules based order at sea. The project will assist Australia to maintain its leading role in defending that maritime order and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as its cornerstone.Read moreRead less