Professor Paula Gerber: Visiting Professor at University of Tokyo
Strengthening Australia–Japan ties through human rights scholarship
Monash Law is proud to announce that Professor Paula Gerber has been appointed the 2026–27 Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at the University of Tokyo’s Centre for Pacific and American Studies (CPAS). This important appointment, supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF), recognises Professor Gerber’s outstanding contributions to human rights law and her commitment to advancing LGBTIQA+ rights across the Asia-Pacific region.
A global legal scholar with a passion for inclusion
Professor Gerber brings a wealth of international experience to the role. A Professor in the Faculty of Law at Monash University, she has practised law in London and Los Angeles and held visiting academic positions in Kosovo, The Netherlands, Italy, Fiji, and China. Her appointment in Tokyo marks a new chapter in her global engagement with legal systems and human rights advocacy.
“I’m looking forward to engaging in lively discussions with students and colleagues about different approaches to diversity, inclusion and human rights,” Professor Gerber said.
Paula Gerber speaking at Worldpride 2023.
Exploring the intersection of law, culture and LGBTIQA+ rights
During her time in Tokyo, Professor Gerber will focus on comparative research into legal frameworks and social attitudes toward LGBTIQA+ communities in Japan and Australia. Her work will explore how cultural contexts shape legal protections—and vice versa—for sexual and gender minorities.
“We live in a time when laws and attitudes towards LGBTIQA+ people around the world are changing at a rapid pace,” she said. “It is vital that we increase our knowledge and understanding about the factors that are influencing these changes.”
Her research and teaching will examine how legal systems and cultural norms interact to either support or hinder the advancement of human rights, with a particular focus on the lived experiences of LGBTIQA+ individuals.
Paula Gerber speaking at Beyond Borders: A Dialogue About LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Around the Globe, a seminar hosted by The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law in April 2025.
Building bridges between scholars and advocates
A key aim of Professor Gerber’s appointment is to foster deeper collaboration between Japanese and Australian academics, legal professionals, and human rights advocates. By creating opportunities for dialogue and joint research, she hopes to contribute to a more inclusive and informed regional approach to human rights protection.
Her appointment also reflects the broader mission of the Visiting Professor of Australian Studies program: to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Australia and Japan through academic exchange and cross-cultural understanding.
Professor Paula Gerber with her 2023 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence alongside Professor Melissa Castan.
About the Visiting Professorship
The Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at the University of Tokyo is a flagship initiative supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation and administered in partnership with the International Australian Studies Association (InASA). The program promotes research and teaching in Australian Studies and supports scholars who are committed to deepening the academic and cultural ties between the two nations.