Higher degree by research

The following research degrees are offered by the Newcastle Law School:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD Law)
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil Law)

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About PhD and research masters

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Research Higher Degree Projects at Newcastle Law School require  two supervisors. We welcome you  to  consider the research expertise of our staff and contact potential supervisors directly to discuss your project.

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Current Research Candidates

Name

Title

Supervisors

Grace BarhamBeyond crisis responses – sustainable housing solutions for women experiencing domestic and family violence in the Hunter region, New South WalesAssociate Prof Xanthe Mallett and Dr Justin Ellis

Karen Bowers

Is Mediation the Best Medicine? Evaluating the Impact of Pre-Court Procedures for Medical Negligence Cases in Australia

Prof Lisa Toohey and Dr Donna McNamara

Bethany Butchers

Native Title and Compensation: Phase Two of Australia's Native Title Journey

Associate Prof Amy Maguire and Dr Dani Larkin

Belinda Charlton

Aboriginal Land Management Practices and the Notion of Custodianship: Identifying Contemporary Legal and Land Management Failures to Mitigate Increasing Natural Hazards, Climate Change and Cultural Disconnection

Associate Prof Kevin Sobel-Read and Dr Elena Aydos

Sushmita Choudhury

Farmers Rights In Bangladesh: Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) Regime

Associate Prof Kevin Sobel-Read and Dr Marie Hadley

Isabella CrebertSexing Human Mandibles Using Forensic Anthropology To Determine The Accuracy Of Methods Used For Sexing – A Comparative StudyAssociate Prof Xanthe Mallett, Dr Ray Nickson and Dr Dilan Seckiner

Ellen Ferris

A Comparative Analysis of Fiduciary Law's Future: Evolving Relationships and Fusionist Tendencies

Prof Tania Sourdin and Dr Glen Anderson

Mauro Figueiredo

Legal Framework for Resilient and Sustainable Coastal Zones

Prof Tania Sourdin, Dr Joseph Wenta and Dr Elena Aydos

Neil Foster

The Common Law Civil Action for Breach of Statutory Duty: History, Elements and Prospects

Prof Tania Sourdin, Emeritus Professor Ron McCallum and Dr Kcasey McLoughlin

Peter GogartyThe Catholic Church - An Exploration of Possible Multifactorial and Multinational CrimeProf Xanthe Mallett, Dr Ray Nickson and Dr Justin Ellis
Taylah GrayNot For The Indigenous: A Critique of Australian Native Title LawAssociate Prof Kevin Sobel-Read and Dr Glen Anderson 

Janet Grumley

NSW JPs in the 21st Century: The Voice of NSW Justices of the Peace, Reflections on the Experience and Perceptions on that Role

Prof Lisa Toohey and Dr Marie HadleyMohammad Saidul Islam

Alphonsa Jojan

Analysis of the Indian Regulatory System on Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Practices

Associate Prof Amy Maguire and Dr Marie Hadley

Saskia JonesCrimmigration in the Australian Context: Impacts of Regulation on the Lived Experiences of Refugee CommunitiesDr Alice Neikirk and Associate Prof Amy Maguire
Jasmina Jones   
Damien LinnaneHealthcare Behind Bars: Exploring the Experiences and Needs of the IncarceratedProf Lisa Toohey and Dr Donna McNamara
Daisy Nugent Innocence Initiatives in Australia and the United States of America: A Comparative Study Dr Ray Nickson and Associate Prof Xanthe Mallett

Blake Pepper

Implementing Change in a Conservative Australian Legal Context by Assessing the Value of Novel Fiduciary Relationships with Approaches in Foreign Jurisdictions. Will the Judiciary or Legislature be Persuaded?

Prof Tania Sourdin and Dr Glen Anderson

Rhanee Rego

Road to Freedom: A Critical Analysis of Post-Conviction Review Mechanisms in New South Wales and Prospects for Reform

Prof John Anderson, Dr Kcasey McLoughlin and Dr Joseph Wenta

Mohammad Saidul Islam

Restorative Justice Approach in the Criminal Justice System of Bangladesh : A Comparative Study

Prof John Anderson and Dr Bin Li

Rukiya Stein

Intermediaries at Investigative Interviews and Cross-Examination  - Enabling Vulnerable People to 'Tell Their Story'

Prof Jane Goodman-Delahunty and Prof Tania Sourdin

Jacob SwitzerThe Future is 'Positive': Towards a Compliance Based Model of Anti-Discrimination Law in Australia'Associate Prof Amy Maguire and Dr Kcasey McLoughlin
Suzanne VisserExploring Sustainable Justice Prof Tania Sourdin and Dr Bin Li
Amelia YoungGenetic Genealogy in Australia for Cold Cases and Missing Persons Investigations: Legal and Social ImplicationsAssociate Prof Xanthe Mallett and Dr Ray Nickson

Completed Research by Higher Degree Projects

NameTitleProgram
John AndersonThe Sentence of Life Imprisonment for the Crime of Murder in New South Wales: A Contemporary Analysis of Case Law and Sentencing PrinciplesPhD (Law)

Ann Apps

Why Can't We Co-operate? The Impact of Law and Regulatory Policy on the Development and Growth of Co-operative Enterprise in Australia

PhD (Law)
Victoria BerezowksiThe Application of Geophysical Techniques to Clandestine Gravesite DiscoveryPhD (Law)
Alysoun BoyleWhat is an Effective or Good Mediator: Exploring empirical research on mediator attributes and behaviourPhD (Law)
Anthony Brown

The Regulation of the Supply and Promotion of Alcohol in New South Wales: Who Calls the Shots?

PhD (Law)

Robert CavanaghThe Need to Reform Coronial Law and Practice in New South WalesMaster of Laws (Research)
Amy EltonAsylum Seekers, Mandatory Detention and Questions of JusticePhD (Law)
Neil FosterThe Personal Liability of Company Officers for Company Breach of Workplace Health and Safety DutiesMaster of Laws (Research)
Ana Regal Goncalves

Payment for Ecosystem Services as a Tool to Reduce Greenhouse Emissions in Brazil: Challenges and Opportunities for Implementation of a Federal Scheme.

PhD (Law)

Vania Holt

Can Power Be Regulated in a Neoliberal Age? A Best-Practice Model for an Australian Federal Anti-Corruption Commission

PhD (Law)

Simone HillThe Australian Self Storage Industry: Defining and Regulating the Legal Relationship Between Facility Owner and StorerMaster of Laws (Research)

Hasanthi Kingsley

From Capability to Climate Justice: Analysing Climate Adaption Policy and Practice in the Global South

PhD (Law)
Amy MaguireLet The People Decide: Self-Determination, Liberation from the Colonial Experience and the Human Rights ApproachPhD (Law)
Ross Mackay The Great Re-Freezing? Requirements for Establishing Native Title in Post-Yorta Yorta JurisprudenceMaster of Philosophy (Law)
Shaun McCarthy

The Inexorable Expansion of Executive Detention in Australia: The Case for Law Reform

PhD (Law)

Brendon MurpheyZone of Impeachment: A Post-Foucauldian Analysis of Controlled Operations Law and PolicyPhD (Law)
Donna OdegaardLaw & Aboriginal Land Claims in Australia - Justice in Black and WhiteMaster of Philosophy (Law)
Sharon Rathley-KuluThe Settlement of Family Law Disputes Before the Courts in Papua New Guinea: Is There a Need for Reform?Masters of Laws (Research)
Taghleb RiddaDisjunction Between the UN Charter's Core Principles and UN Practice Inhibits the UN's Ability to Maintain World PeaceMaster of Philosophy (Law)
Eliezer Sanchez-LasaballettCommonalities between the 'Australian Law of Contract' and the General Law of Contract of the 'Brazilian Civil Code': A Rule-Based Study Towards a Global Law of ContractPhD (Law)
Diyana SulaimanProtection of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Indonesia and MalaysiaPhD (Law)
Katherine WatsonMore Women, More Money? The Impact of Discourse on Legal and Regulatory Initiatives Regarding Women on Corporate BoardsPhD (Law)
Samuel Woldemariam

Forced Human Displacement: Locating Duties to Address Root Causes in International Law

PhD (Law)

John WoodwardLawyer Approaches to Court-Connected Mediation: A New Case StudyPhD (Law)