From PhD to academic with Monash Law's Higher Degree Research program
Dr Duncan Wallace is an academic in the Faculty of Law at Monash University who exemplifies the satisfaction of Higher Degree Research.
“ I loved doing my PhD. It was so fun,” reveals Dr Duncan Wallace.
“Especially the first two and a half years because you have so much time to dedicate to research.”
He's also the Law Faculty's 2024 winner of the Mollie Holman medal which marks the recipient as a researcher of the highest order.
Dr Wallace's career trajectory, built on his love of research and his dedication to teaching is an inspirational story for aspiring PhD candidates.
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Igniting a Passion for Academia with a PhD in Law
Dr Wallace's academic journey began with a deep-seated passion for understanding the power dynamics within corporations.
"I was interested in the power that corporations have and the problem that they tend to wield that power solely in the financial interests of their shareholders," he explains.
This curiosity led him to explore the concept of corporations as legal persons and the implications of this status.
"My PhD thesis ended up focusing on the question of whether these entities that are recognised as persons in law are, somehow or other, also persons in fact," he says.
This exploration was not just an academic exercise but a quest to understand the moral and ethical dimensions of corporate behaviour. Could a corporation, as a person in fact, actually become a victim of slavery?
“ The perfect example would be like Elon Musk buying Twitter. So Twitter is being traded around like a commodity and it's got this new master.”
Duncan Wallace at An Institutional Theory of the Firm conference at London School of Economics.
The road to Monash’s Law PhD programs
Before embarking on his PhD journey, Dr Wallace had already laid a strong foundation in academia. He completed an arts degree in England and a law degree at Melbourne Law School.
His professional experience included working as an education officer for the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, which he found, "really interesting and rewarding."
The decision to pursue a PhD at Monash Law was influenced by his desire to find a suitable supervisor.
"One of the lecturers at Melbourne Law School, who I got on well with, recommended Associate Professor Patrick Emerton at Monash Law as someone that would be appropriate for the project," he recalls.
This recommendation led him to Monash Law, where he found an institution with exceptional resources and a supportive academic environment.
"Monash Law is an amazing institution with a really good reputation and incredible resources," he adds.
During Duncan’s PhD studies, Associate Professor Emerton moved on to Deakin Law School and Associate Professor Joanna Kyriakakis took over the supervision role.
"Joanna is incredible, and I feel so indebted to her for the guidance and support she gave me," he says.
Challenges and Triumphs of a Doctorate in Law
Dr Wallace's PhD journey was not without its challenges. While he found the first two and a half years of research, "so fun," and intellectually stimulating, the final year of writing up his thesis was particularly demanding.
"The actual write-up stage was really difficult," he admits.
However, the support from his supervisors, particularly Associate Professor Kyriakakis, and the administrative team at Monash Law helped him navigate these challenges. In fact, the whole support system at Monash Law played a crucial role in his success.
"You get support from your supervisor and then there's an administrative team that keeps you updated with opportunities available to PhD students," he notes.
The law library resources at Monash, which he describes as, "some of the best in the world," were also instrumental in his research.
"Whilst you're a student at Monash Law, you might not appreciate how good it is, but the Law Library is absolutely incredible," he emphasises.
Recognition and Career Advancement through a Law research degree
Dr Wallace's dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed. This year he has been nominated by Monash Law for the prestigious Molly Holman Award, which marks the recipient as a researcher of the highest order.
"I feel very privileged and happy to have been nominated for it," he says.
His teaching roles at Monash, which began as a necessity to self-fund his PhD, eventually became a significant part of his academic career.
"I did tutoring every semester for two or three years, and after that, Monash Law invited me to take up lecturing as well," he explains.
These roles gave Duncan valuable teaching experience and paved the way for an academic career, doing what he loves as a Lecturer at Monash Law.
"It’s a nice opportunity to become an expert in a particular area of law," he adds.
Higher degree research in law builds a bright future
Today, Dr Wallace is living his dream of being a full-time researcher and lecturer.
"I just have to pinch myself that I get paid to do research now," he says with a smile.
Dr Wallace’s research continues to explore the fascinating intersections of law, ethics, and corporate behavior. He has published and has in press several journal articles and is working with Cambridge University Press to publish his thesis as a book.
Dr Wallace's story demonstrates that with passion, perseverance, and the right support, aspiring researchers can achieve their academic and professional goals.
If you’re considering starting your own PhD, Dr Wallace encourages you to pursue your passion.
For more information about Dr Duncan Wallace and his research, visit his research profile.
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