Further Research

Further Research

In addition to our main program research areas, our academics also conduct research in Business and Human Rights; Freedom of Expression; International Criminal Law and Justice; International Law of Armed Conflict; International Law; National Security; Prisons, Closed Environments and Justice; Racism; and Regional Issues.

Welcome to new Castan Centre Academic Members

We are excited to welcome a group of outstanding new academics whose expertise will enrich the Castan Centre’s research, teaching, and public engagement across a diverse range of human rights and social justice issues.
3 June, 2026
The Law and Politics of Migration in Australia

Call for Abstracts: The Law and Politics of Migration in Australia

Monash Arts and Monash Law invites proposals for the 2026 Law and Politics of Migration in Australia conference.
18 May, 2026
Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter

Keynote announced: Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter

The Castan Centre is honoured to welcome Commissioner Sue‑Anne Hunter as keynote speaker for the 2026 Castan Centre Conference.
17 May, 2026
Carlos H. Conde and Sara Kowal in conversation on stage.

Defending Dignity: Human Rights, Justice, and the Case Against Duterte

Attendees joined an in-depth discussion with human rights advocate Carlos H. Conde, presented by Human Rights Watch, Eleos Justice, and the Castan Centre.
24 June, 2025

Monash Law research features in the Victorian Inquiry into workplace surveillance

On Thursday 26 September 2024, Castan Centre academic members Adjunct Professor Moira Paterson and Adjunct Associate Professor Normann Witzleb provided evidence for the Victorian Inquiry into workplace surveillance.
17 June, 2025
A headshot of each of the eight new members is featured here.

Welcome to new Castan Centre Academic Members

The Castan Centre appoints eight new academic members from Monash Law.
12 June, 2025

Legal Laneway Breakfast hears from new Attorney-General

Professor Melissa Castan, Director of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law opened the event hosted by the Victorian Law Foundation.
5 February, 2025

Keynote Speech by Dr Alice Jill Edwards

The Castan Centre hosted its 22nd Annual Conference with a keynote address from Dr Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, UN Human Rights Council.
14 August, 2023

Limits on Non-Statutory Executive Power

New Australian Public Law blog post by Castan Centre Deputy Director, Professor Maria O'Sullivan.
22 June, 2023

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Business and Human Rights

Freedom of Expression

International Criminal Law and Justice

International Law of Armed Conflict

Coming soon.

International Law

National Security

Prisons, Closed Environments and Justice

Racism

Regional Issues

Business and Human Rights

Freedom of Expression

Coming soon.

International Criminal Law and Justice

International Law of Armed Conflict

Coming soon.

International Law

National Security

Coming soon.

Prisons, Closed Environments and Justice

Racism

Regional Issues

Coming soon.

Business and Human Rights

Do corporations have human rights obligations?

Corporations help to create jobs and wealth. But, like any entity, they can harm human rights. This Have You Got That Right? episode asks the question whether corporations are accountable if they breach human rights?

Towards a New Treaty on Business and Human Rights

Professor Olivier De Schutter was the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food from 2008-2014. He is now a member of the UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights.

The Evolution of Business and Human Rights

The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Monash Business School and Global Compact Network Australia present John Ruggie, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights and International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Australian Business Community and Human Rights

Professor Triggs has been a vocal supporter of the value of education as a human right and the responsibility of the Australian business community to recognise and realise human rights.

Human Rights and Business: Why human rights matter to successful businesses

The 2013 Castan Centre and King & Wood Mallesons Annual Lecture was presented on 22 November by the then president of the Australian Human Rights Commission Professor Gillian Triggs.

Money and Politics: Why it matters to human rights

This 2011 lecture by Dr Joo-Cheong Tham, with commentary from Sam McLean, argues that money politics falls squarely within the human rights agenda for three reasons.

Freedom of Expression

Free Speech in Australia

A short Q&A with Waleed Aly, Age Columnist, host of Drive on ABC Radio National and Lecturer in politics at Monash University on free speech in Australia.

Free Speech in Australia at the 2014 Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Conference

Waleed Aly is a broadcaster, author, academic and rock musician. His social and political commentary has produced an award-winning book and multiple literary short-listings.

Free Speech and racism in Australia

A short Q&A with Joe Caputo OAM JP, Chair of Federation of Ethic Communities' Councils of Australia on freedom of speech and racism in Australia.

Hate speech laws

Gavin Phillipson has held a Chair in Law at the University of Durham since January 2007 and is a qualified solicitor. His research interests lie in the fields of European and UK human rights law, especially freedom of expression.

Racism and Hate Speech Laws

Professor Gavin Phillipson, University of Durham, speaks about racisim and hate speech laws.

International Criminal Law and Justice

Coming soon.

International Law of Armed Conflict

On the Front Line of Humanitarian Crises: Libya, Central African Republic and Syria

Father Bernard Kinvi discusses his experience in the Central African Republic after Muslim Seleka forces overthrew the government and unleashed a wave of sectarian violence.

Perspectives on the International Intervention in Libya

Our expert panel explored the legal and political issues surrounding the intervention in Libya.

International Law

Do we need a human rights body for the Asia-Pacific? Lessons from around the globe

While regional human rights bodies exist in Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Arab states, the absence of a regional body in the Asia-Pacific generates ongoing discussion.

National Security

Surveillance and the right to privacy in a digital age

Kenneth Roth is the executive director of Human Rights Watch, one of the world's leading international human rights organizations, which operates in more than 90 countries. Listen to the audio recording of his talk.

Human rights, protest and police surveillance: a forum on intelligence gathering and monitoring of public protest

Protestors' right to privacy has become a heated issue. This 2012 Castan Centre forum addressed what implications these activities have on critical human rights issues. Listen to the recording.

Where Liberty Lies: Civil Society and Individual Rights in America's "War on Terror" after 9/11

In the final Castan Centre event for 2012, Professor Cole reflected on the first decade post-9/11 and the lessons that civil society can learn about the relationship between counter-terrorism and human rights.

Prisons, Closed Environments and Justice

Prisoners' Rights

Watch the Castan Centre video playlist featuring our past events on Prisons, Closed Environments and Justice.

Prisoners and Human Rights - the potential and the reality

At this 2013 events, three speakers painted a dire picture regarding the current reality of human rights within prisons.

Racism

Free Speech in Australia

A short Q&A with Waleed Aly, Age Columnist, host of Drive on ABC Radio National and Lecturer in politics at Monash University on free speech in Australia.

Free Speech in Australia at the 2014 Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Conference

Waleed Aly is a broadcaster, author, academic and rock musician. His social and political commentary has produced an award-winning book and multiple literary short-listings.

Free Speech and racism in Australia

A short Q&A with Joe Caputo OAM JP, Chair of Federation of Ethic Communities' Councils of Australia on freedom of speech and racism in Australia.

Hate speech laws

Gavin Phillipson has held a Chair in Law at the University of Durham since January 2007 and is a qualified solicitor. His research interests lie in the fields of European and UK human rights law, especially freedom of expression.

Racism and Hate Speech Laws

Professor Gavin Phillipson, University of Durham, speaks about racisim and hate speech laws.

Racism

Watch the Castan Centre playlist featuring seminars and events on Racism.

Regional Issues

Intimidation and repression in Uganda

Worsening restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly in the lead up to the elections cast serious doubt over whether they were conducted in a free and fair manner.

On the Front Line of Humanitarian Crises: Libya, Central African Republic and Syria

Emergencies Director Peter Bouckaert will discuss his work at the forefront of humanitarian crises in countries such as Libya and the Central African Republic

Enforced Disappearances in Asia: the case of Sombath Somphone

Sombath Somphone, a 2005 Magsaysay Award Winner for Community and Youth Development in Laos, was enforcedly disappeared on 15 December 2012. Since then, the family had continuously pleaded with the government to find Sombath and return him safely.

Do we need a human rights body for the Asia-Pacific? Lessons from around the globe

While regional human rights bodies exist in Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Arab states, the absence of a regional body in the Asia-Pacific generates ongoing discussion.

Sudan - 10 years after

2013 marks the ten-year anniversary of the conflict in Darfur, and sadly there is no end in sight for conflict, violence and human rights abuses and ongoing displacement of civilian Dafurians.

Nonviolent resistance in the Middle East

Over the last 18 months, continued unrest in the Middle East has highlighted the strategies and policies utilised by people across the region to respond to autocratic regimes.

The Success and Challenges of Transitional Justice in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone. It is one of the oldest polities in Africa, and is rich in natural resources, such as diamonds. However it is also the poorest country in the world, and recovering from the ferocious 1991-2001 civil war.

Western Sahara: Living Dangerously Under Moroccan Occupation

Aicha Dahane grew up in occupied Western Sahara. She became a human rights defender during her studies in law at Rabat University in Morocco and was forced to claim asylum in the UK in 2002.

Perspectives on the International Intervention in Libya

Listen to the audio recording of this event featuring Professor Donald R Rothwell, Associate Professor Gideon Boas, and Jeff Sparrow.