Staff Profile

Career Summary

Biography

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 12/12/2003
• Bachelor of Legal Studies, Macquarie University

Research

Research keywords

• Criminal Justice System
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Law of evidence
• Sentencing

Research expertise

The overarching concept of my research scholarship is related to questions of unfairness and inequity in the criminal justice system, particularly the sentencing of offenders and treating like cases alike. In addition, I have developed a research interest in relation to the legal framework for the crime of arson and related issues involving the mental element of the offence and sentencing arson offenders. I also research in relation to various aspects of evidence law particularly identification evidence and the judicial discretion to exclude evidence. Finally, I have some research interests in the scholarship of teaching and learning and I am currently working on a court collaboration project with the co-location of the new state court precinct and University House.

Sentencing of offenders in the criminal justice system

The law of evidence, particularly identification evidence, and judicial discretion to exclude evidence

The offence of arson and its legal regulation

Issues of fairness and equity in the criminal justice system

Fields of Research

Awards

Recognition.

Collaboration

The overarching concept of my research scholarship is related to questions of unfairness and inequity in the criminal justice system, particularly the sentencing of offenders and treating like cases alike. In addition, I have developed a research interest in relation to the legal framework for the crime of arson and related issues involving the mental element of the offence and sentencing arson offenders. I also research in relation to various aspects of evidence law particularly identification evidence and the judicial discretion to exclude evidence. Finally, I have some research interests in the scholarship of teaching and learning and I am currently working on a court collaboration project with the co-location of the new state court precinct and University House. I have worked with international collaborators on this project following a study tour of various US law schools.

Administrative

Administrative expertise

Dr Anderson has extensive administration expertise at school, faculty and university level. Dr Anderson was Acting Dean and Head of the Newcastle Law School from January to April 2013 after having served six years as Deputy Head of School from January 2007. He also spent periods as the Deputy Head of School in 2004 and 2005. Dr Anderson was the Student Academic Conduct Officer in the Newcastle Law School from July 2006 to December 2010 during which time he investigated and adjudicated several cases of academic misconduct within the school. He has served on the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Business and Law and also on the Academic Senate.

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Advanced Criminal Law
• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Evidence
• Introduction to Advocacy
• Sentencing: Global Theory, Law and Practice

Teaching expertise

Dr Anderson teaches across a number of courses in the Newcastle Law School LLB/Dip Leg Prac programs. These courses include LAWS2004A & B - Criminal Law & Procedure Parts A & B, LAWS5003 Advanced Criminal Law, LAWS4004 Evidence and LAWS4056 Introduction to Advocacy - Criminal Litigation Stream. Dr Anderson is currently the Director of the JD/GDLP Program, which will commence in 2014. He will also teach an elective course, Sentencing: Global Theory, Law and Practice in the LLM Program commencing in 2014. Dr Anderson has received eight teaching awards and citations recognising excellence in teaching at local, state and national levels. In 2010 he received the prestigious Australian Learning & Teaching Council's Teaching Excellence Award for Law, Economics, Business and Related Studies in the Australian Awards for University Teaching.