Charting the Impact of Academic Research on Australian Court Proceedings

Kim Rubenstein, Kristen Walker, Tania Penovic, Ronli Sifris, and Paula Gerber standing smiling near the Castan Centre banner.

Professor Kim Rubenstein, The Hon Kristen Walker AM KC, Associate Professor Tania Penovic, Associate Professor Ronli Sifris and Professor Paula Gerber.

On Friday 14 August 2026, the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and the Deakin University Centre for Law as Protection co-hosted a forum on charting the impact of academic research on Australian court proceedings.

This event brought together leading judges, scholars, and practitioners to discuss the role of academics, and academic research, in court proceedings.

The day began with a keynote address from the Hon. Justice Kristen Walker AM KC (Justice of the Victorian Court of Appeal) who offered reflections on her perspective on the role of academic research in judicial decision-making.

Two panels followed which brought together academics and practitioners.

Thank you to our panellists Kate Eastman AM SC, Professor Paula Gerber, Professor Kim Rubenstein, Professor Kate Seear, Assoc Professor Tanya Josev, Assoc Professor Ronli Sifris, Dr Anne Carter and Dr Josh Gibson for an interesting and insightful day, and to Assoc Professor Tania Penovic for organising this event.

Paula Gerber talking at the lectern.

Professor Paula Gerber.

Event Details

Charting the Impact of Academic Research on Australian Court Proceedings

When: Friday 14 August 2026
Time: 9am - 3:30pm AEST
Venue: Deakin Downtown (in person only)
Level 12, Tower 2, Collins Square

A timely and thought-provoking event, organised by the Deakin Centre for Law as Protection and the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, exploring the growing influence of academic research in Australian court proceedings.

Tanya Josev, Tania Penovic, Anne Carter, Josh Gibson, and Ronli Sifris smiling in front of the Castan Centre banner.

Associate Professor Tanya Josev, Associate Professor Tania Penovic, Dr Anne Carter, Dr Josh Gibson, and Associate Professor Ronli Sifris.

This full-day forum brought together leading judges, scholars, and practitioners to examine how academic research shaped legal reasoning, informed advocacy, and contributed to the development of the law. Speakers from the judiciary, the legal profession and academia explored the utility and value of academic research in judicial decision-making.

The program opened with a keynote address from The Hon Justice Kristen Walker, offering her perspective on the role of academic research in judicial decision-making, based on her experience as an academic, a barrister and now a judge.

Two expert panels followed, featuring distinguished academics and practitioners who shared their experiences and critically examined how research was used in litigation and judicial reasoning.

Attendees gained:

  • Insight into how courts engage with academic research
  • Practical perspectives from leading legal practitioners and scholars
  • A deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges in bridging academia and legal practice
  • Opportunities to connect with researchers, advocates, and members of the judiciary

Josh Gibson speaking at the lectern.

Dr Josh Gibson.

Guest speakers

  • Kristen Walker AM KC - Court of Appeal of Victoria
  • The Hon Kate Eastman AM SC - NSW Bar and UTS
  • Professor Paula Gerber - Monash University
  • Professor Kim Rubenstein - University of Canberra, UTS and ANU
  • Professor Kate Seear - Deakin University
  • Associate Professor Tanya Josev - University of Melbourne
  • Associate Professor Ronli Sifris - Monash University
  • Dr Anne Carter - Adelaide University
  • Dr Josh Gibson - Monash University

Charting the Impact of Academic Research on Australian Court Proceedings