Constitutional change in authoritarian regimes: the case of Myanmar. This project aims to understand how and why constitutions change in authoritarian regimes. After decades of authoritarian rule, there is lively public debate about formal amendment of the Myanmar constitution. Based on rigorous qualitative methods including archival research and in-depth interviews, this project expects to investigate why Myanmar's Constitution is both a constraint and an enabler of democratic reform. This time ....Constitutional change in authoritarian regimes: the case of Myanmar. This project aims to understand how and why constitutions change in authoritarian regimes. After decades of authoritarian rule, there is lively public debate about formal amendment of the Myanmar constitution. Based on rigorous qualitative methods including archival research and in-depth interviews, this project expects to investigate why Myanmar's Constitution is both a constraint and an enabler of democratic reform. This timely socio-legal project seeks to inform Australia’s political, economic and cultural engagement with Myanmar as a strategic neighbour in south-east Asia and a new market for foreign investment.Read moreRead less
The meaning of home for children following parental separation. This project aims to identify the meaning of home for children in separated families by interviewing children and parents about children’s experiences of home and homemaking. Since most children now traverse two households, there needs to be an increasing emphasis in policy, law and professional practice on listening to children regarding their post-separation living arrangements. By describing and analysing home for children, the p ....The meaning of home for children following parental separation. This project aims to identify the meaning of home for children in separated families by interviewing children and parents about children’s experiences of home and homemaking. Since most children now traverse two households, there needs to be an increasing emphasis in policy, law and professional practice on listening to children regarding their post-separation living arrangements. By describing and analysing home for children, the project will provide a solid basis for shifting the prevailing focus on parents’ needs in application of the law toward more child-responsive parenting arrangements. This new knowledge will support parents and professionals to achieve child-responsive approaches to post-separation parenting arrangements, reducing potentially adverse impacts of parental separation on children, and benefitting children, families and the community.Read moreRead less
The regulation of labour disputes in Southeast Asia. This project aims to investigate the complex regulation of labour disputes in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Effective rules and institutions for the resolution of collective labour disputes are integral features of a sound industrial relations system. Yet in many developing countries, formal channels for the resolution of such disputes are largely ineffective. This heightens the risk of industrial disruption and encourages reliance o ....The regulation of labour disputes in Southeast Asia. This project aims to investigate the complex regulation of labour disputes in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Effective rules and institutions for the resolution of collective labour disputes are integral features of a sound industrial relations system. Yet in many developing countries, formal channels for the resolution of such disputes are largely ineffective. This heightens the risk of industrial disruption and encourages reliance on informal modes of regulation. The project will provide an empirical analysis of existing models of labour regulation, and inform policy development and the activities of agencies involved in labour dispute resolution in the region. It will better equip researchers, legal practitioners, policy makers and NGOs engaging transnationally in the Asia Pacific region.Read moreRead less
Threshold Decisions in Determining Whether to Prosecute Child Sexual Abuse. The objective of this project is new knowledge about the way police and prosecutors make decisions about the prosecution of child sexual assault that could be used to influence policy and practice. Few cases of child sexual abuse reported to the police ever go to court but recent research in New South Wales for the Royal Commission indicates that the proportion has declined sharply over the last decade or so. This projec ....Threshold Decisions in Determining Whether to Prosecute Child Sexual Abuse. The objective of this project is new knowledge about the way police and prosecutors make decisions about the prosecution of child sexual assault that could be used to influence policy and practice. Few cases of child sexual abuse reported to the police ever go to court but recent research in New South Wales for the Royal Commission indicates that the proportion has declined sharply over the last decade or so. This project aims to examine how police and prosecutors decide which cases proceed and why, and how they confer with each other as well as when and how they consult with complainants and their families. This project plans to also develop and test practice tools and principles for police and prosecutors with expected benefits for both them and the families involved.Read moreRead less
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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100064
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,919.00
Summary
Socio-Legal Implications of Virtual Autopsies in Coronial Investigations. This project aims to assess how forensic imaging technology impacts coronial investigations in Australia. It expects to generate new knowledge on the implementation of post-mortem computed tomography in coronial investigations using a socio-legal approach. Expected outcomes include a framework for understanding how the technology has been developed in coronial investigations, and the social and legal effects of using virtu ....Socio-Legal Implications of Virtual Autopsies in Coronial Investigations. This project aims to assess how forensic imaging technology impacts coronial investigations in Australia. It expects to generate new knowledge on the implementation of post-mortem computed tomography in coronial investigations using a socio-legal approach. Expected outcomes include a framework for understanding how the technology has been developed in coronial investigations, and the social and legal effects of using virtual autopsies as a supplement or replacement of post-mortem dissections. This should provide significant benefits for stakeholders of the coronial process, through deeper understanding of how new technologies can be best implemented to improve the efficiency, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of coronial investigations.Read moreRead less
Intoxication Evidence in Rape Trials: A Double-Edged Sword? There is strong evidence that intoxication by alcohol and other drugs is frequently associated with sexual violence. Criminal law reforms in Australia have attempted to break the ‘rape myth’ nexus between intoxication and assumed consent. This project will subject the operation of relevant rules to systematic analysis. Focusing on intoxication evidence in rape trials, this project will undertake qualitative analysis of appellate judgmen ....Intoxication Evidence in Rape Trials: A Double-Edged Sword? There is strong evidence that intoxication by alcohol and other drugs is frequently associated with sexual violence. Criminal law reforms in Australia have attempted to break the ‘rape myth’ nexus between intoxication and assumed consent. This project will subject the operation of relevant rules to systematic analysis. Focusing on intoxication evidence in rape trials, this project will undertake qualitative analysis of appellate judgments, court transcripts and interviews with prosecutors and defence lawyers, in three Australian jurisdictions. It should produce significant new knowledge about whether existing laws and court room practices are optimally adapted to achieving the important objective of justice for sexual violence victims.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101189
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,851.00
Summary
Fast-track Asylum Procedures: Balancing Fairness and Efficiency. Governments around the world are implementing measures to fast-track the processing of asylum claims. This project aims to identify if this can be done in a way that is both fair and efficient. It will use an innovative interdisciplinary approach, which combines doctrinal and empirical methods, to compare and evaluate current laws in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Project outcomes will include evi ....Fast-track Asylum Procedures: Balancing Fairness and Efficiency. Governments around the world are implementing measures to fast-track the processing of asylum claims. This project aims to identify if this can be done in a way that is both fair and efficient. It will use an innovative interdisciplinary approach, which combines doctrinal and empirical methods, to compare and evaluate current laws in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Project outcomes will include evidence-based law reform and policy recommendations to improve the efficiency and quality of Australia’s asylum process. A fair and more efficient asylum process will secure the integrity of Australia's borders and save the government money while ensuring refugees can access protection promptly.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101646
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,593.00
Summary
Regulating predictive technologies for preventive counterterrorism . This project aims to improve the legal regulation of predictive technologies for preventive counterterrorism measures. The project expects to generate new knowledge in counterterrorism law and policy using doctrinal, comparative, and empirical methods. In particular, the project collects data on the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions mandating collection, sharing, and use of predictive technologies to strengthen glob ....Regulating predictive technologies for preventive counterterrorism . This project aims to improve the legal regulation of predictive technologies for preventive counterterrorism measures. The project expects to generate new knowledge in counterterrorism law and policy using doctrinal, comparative, and empirical methods. In particular, the project collects data on the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions mandating collection, sharing, and use of predictive technologies to strengthen global counterterrorism, and examines how these resolutions influence security and human rights in Australia and its security partners. Expected outcomes include recommendations for improving the laws governing the use of predictive technologies and strengthening security, individuals’ human rights, and the rule of law.Read moreRead less
Judges' work, place and psychological health - a national view. This project aims to address the human, juridical and financial costs of judicial officers’ work-related psychological harm. This harm is implicated in early retirement, sick leave and suicide. It threatens appropriate courtroom conduct, procedural fairness and impartial adjudication. The project seeks to generate new knowledge of the stress judicial officers experience and the individual and institutional mechanisms for managing st ....Judges' work, place and psychological health - a national view. This project aims to address the human, juridical and financial costs of judicial officers’ work-related psychological harm. This harm is implicated in early retirement, sick leave and suicide. It threatens appropriate courtroom conduct, procedural fairness and impartial adjudication. The project seeks to generate new knowledge of the stress judicial officers experience and the individual and institutional mechanisms for managing stressors, combining socio-legal and psychological approaches. Expected outcomes include evidence-based understandings to inform recruitment and retention strategies specific to this highly specialized workforce. This should provide significant benefits for judges’ work capacities and courts' delivery of justice.Read moreRead less