Researcher Highlights
A leading figure in social justice

An expert in human rights and public international law, Associate Professor Amy Maguire translates her research for policy advice, law reform, and public education. She engages at national and global levels, with governments, peak organisations, and legal professionals.

Amy shares the benefits of research translation through collaboration with students and legal practitioners in public inquiry processes. Amy has reached over 1.1 million readers through online articles that explain public law and human rights issues for broad audiences. Her capacity to effectively translate research has generated impactful opportunities, including appointment to the board of Reconciliation NSW, the peak body for reconciliation in NSW.

Associate Professor Maguire has demonstrated outstanding commitment to research engagement for over 15 years. She takes a collaborative approach to human rights research with key stakeholders including the Australian Human Rights Commission, with whom she has designed a major project to enhance human rights education for public sector workers and the broader community. Amy helps to inform specialist and public audiences about topical issues in public law through online writing and media commentary, and consults with key civil society organisations and individuals with particular rights needs.

Amy describes her submissions to parliamentary inquiries as a key contribution of her work.

“Inquiry processes are so important in the formative process for effective and trustworthy laws. I’ve had several opportunities to make submissions and give evidence to inquiry committees – invariably, committee members ask questions that challenge me to see how proposed laws might operate in practice.

I’ve been privileged to help shape the recommendations of inquiries on significant rights issues, including Australia’s advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty, proposed religious discrimination laws, and the incorporation of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into Australian law.

Amy is now often invited to advise the Queensland Parliament on the compatibility of proposed laws with Queensland’s Human Rights Act. “This work is fascinating and gives me new insight into processes of legal design and reform and government decision-making.”

The benefits of Amy’s engagement are diverse and impactful. For example, her leadership in establishing early entry programs to Law for students from Indigenous and refugee backgrounds has increased student aspiration and retention and promoted inclusion and diversity in the School of Law and Justice.

Since 2021, Amy has had the privilege of serving as a foundation Director of the Centre for Law and Social Justice at the University of Newcastle. The Centre for Law and Social Justice is based in the Newcastle School of Law and Justice and is a site for research, engagement, learning, and advocacy. Here, expert researchers and clinical staff partner with students, communities, and key organisations. In its first two years of operation, under Amy’s leadership, the Centre has built a national and global profile as a driving force in social justice research, policymaking, law reform, and community engagement.

Amy celebrates the collaborative efforts of University staff, associates from other institutions and partner organisations in the community and legal sectors for rapidly building the Centre’s standing as a trustworthy institution committed to promoting access to justice and innovative solutions to legal challenges in Australian society.

“One of our proudest innovations is the establishment, in partnership with Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, of an annual Youth Forum for school students in the Hunter region. These events enhance the capacity of young people in our region to learn about and contribute to social understanding of rights issues that have major impacts on them and their futures.”