Research

The School of Law has a strong commitment to innovative and quality research with social impact and collaborates with partners across RMIT University, the legal profession, the business community, governmental and non-governmental organisations.

The School of Law fosters an open and collaborative intellectual environment, enriched by culturally diverse academics who lead in interdisciplinary knowledge creation. Our rigorous and relevant research benefits business, the legal system, and society. We employ a social impact research strategy, emphasising teamwork and co-authorship, well suited to the multidisciplinary nature of Business and Law.

Our research approach centres on law and society, engaging stakeholders across various sectors in Australia, the Asia Pacific, and globally. We aim to cultivate thought leaders in significant legal, social, environmental, technological, and economic discussions. Our teaching programs are closely linked to our research efforts, equipping students with the techniques used to address complex legal challenges.

This integration of research and teaching ensures that students are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the evolving legal landscape, fostering skills that are essential for future leaders in the field.

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Our research objectives

Our goal is to create real world impact and use our resources to support high quality outputs in a range of impactful journals and outlets, including top academic journals. 

We aim to support knowledge-based pathways to change lives for the better, and actively translate our research outcomes for industry, business, government stakeholders and the wider society.

Research themes

Dispute Resolution, Justice Innovations, Health and Fairness

We engage in cutting-edge research with industry partners to formulate and trial innovative approaches to resolving disputes in the civil and criminal justice systems and address legal problems.

Innovation, Emerging Technologies, and Governance

Innovations may impose risks to society and our work tries to offer governance frameworks and mechanisms that facilitate responsible innovation and positive social impact (e.g., triple bottom line strategies).

Labour, Gig Economy, Union Transformation

We develop reform proposals for industry, unions and governments to ensure that innovative technologies lead to fairer outcomes for workers consistent with the social licence of responsible businesses.

Research groups and centres

The School of Law houses two Research Centres, the Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT) and the Centre for Innovative Justice (CIJ).

Higher Degree by Research

We offer a range of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) opportunities in Law. We welcome enquiries to join our multidisciplinary research community and work alongside thought leaders and industry partners to pursue your research ambitions.

When applying for any of our Higher Degree by Research programs you may choose to either do so with an advertised proposed project or an independent topic of your own.

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Our location

The School of Law is based at the heart of the Melbourne City campus in the historic Emily McPherson Building (Building 13) within the College of Business and Law.


Street Address:
Building 13, 405 Russell St, Melbourne 3000 VIC
Postal Address: GPO Box 2476, Melbourne 3001 VIC
General School Enquiries: SoL.execsupport@rmit.edu.au

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.