Law
PhD (Law)
Deakin Law School is calling for expressions of interest from exceptional candidates who are passionate about real-world problems and who are ready to imagine and craft innovative solutions to these problems. Expressions of interest on any topic are encouraged, and we particularly welcome proposals which relate to the following areas:
- Constitutional law and statutory interpretation;
- AI, new technologies, and cyber law;
- Climate change, energy law, and natural resources;
- Migration, refugees, and borders;
- International law, counter-terrorism, peace and security;
- Criminal law and the justice system;
- Torts and health law;
- Corporate governance;
- COVID-19 and the law;
- Religious freedom and discrimination under Australian law;
- End of life decision making and emerging reproductive technologies;
- Using tax policy to promote human progress and sustainability;
- The regulation of organ donation.
In addition to traditional doctrinal legal research, our academics master and can supervise dissertations that incorporate comparative analysis, as well as a variety of empirical methodologies, including qualitative methods, such as interviews and case studies, and quantitative methodologies, including surveys and experiments.
We are seeking applicants who hold a prior research degree with an 80% average, and who want to be part of a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment supported by world class legal experts and advanced campus facilities.
The 2018 QS World University Rankings place Deakin Law School in the top 100 law schools internationally, attesting to the School’s strong global standing.
Experienced PhD supervision is available across the Law School’s range of disciplines:
Program outline
Deakin Law School admits a small number of students into a fully-funded PhD program each year, allowing us to offer a very high standard of individual attention.
Our Doctoral program is designed to prepare PhD students for successful careers in academia, industry, or government. Students complete two coursework units in their first year of study:
At the end of their first year of study, students will defend their thesis proposal in a process called confirmation of candidature. Confirmed students then spend the remainder of their candidature completing their doctoral research.