Economides on 'Itinerant Justice and Proactive Legal Services: Origins, Achievements and Future Directions’

Honorary Professor Kim Economides of the USQ School of Law and Justice has published a new article titled "Itinerant Justice and Proactive Legal Services: Origins, Achievements and Future Directions'.  The article appears in Volume 18(3) of Direito em Movimento, Rio de Janeiro.  Here is the abstract:

"This article examines itinerant justice and proactive legal services serving remote areas and the distinction between these modes of legal service delivery. It examines foreign and historical precedents for mobile legal services and the lessons that emerge from this experience. The article also considers how these legal services should be evaluated and questions their present scope by asking whether in the future there should be a greater emphasis on collective legal action, or structural, as well as individual casework. Finally, the article looks at future planning and considers specific reforms that might enhance their contribution, particularly for those in remote or Indigenous communities." 

Mortensen on 'The Clergy of Liberalism: Lawyers’ Character, Virtue and Moral Education in Pluralized Societies'

 Professor Reid Mortensen of the USQ School of Law and Justice has published a new paper titled 'The Clergy of Liberalism: Lawyers' Character, Virtue, and Moral Education in Pluralized Societies'.  The paper appears as a chapter in John Witte Jr and Michael Welker (eds), The Impact of Law on Character Formation, Ethical Education, and the Communication of Values in Late Modern Pluralistic Societies (Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, Leipzig, 2021).  

Call for Papers: "Arbiters of Justice: Historical Studies of Southern Queensland Lawgivers" Colloquium

 

The Colloquium: The Law, Religion, and Heritage Research Program Team at the University of Southern Queensland is hosting a colloquium titled Arbiters of Justice: Historical Studies of Southern Queensland Lawgivers.         

Date:    26 November 2021

            Venue: USQ Ipswich Campus, Room I-109

            Note: Physical attendance is warmly encouraged, but a Zoom option will be available.

Invitation: Academics, members of the legal community, local historians, and anyone with an interest in the topic are invited to participate.  The colloquium’s reference to “lawgivers” is intended broadly to encompass a wide range of people responsible for making and administering the law, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders, colonial governors, and notable jurists.  The link these individuals have to southern Queensland can take different forms, and will also be interpreted flexibly.  Contributions may include biographical studies, analyses of important decisions, reflections on the role that religion or spirituality played in the lawgiver’s life, and more.

What is required to participate?  Presentations should be 15-20 minutes to duration, with time for questions to follow after.  Presentations should be supported by a completed paper or work-in-progress suitable for distribution to other participants.  Should sufficient numbers of quality papers be received, the opportunity to contribute to an edited collection may become available after the colloquium.

Are you interested in contributing? Please register your interest in presenting at the colloquium by contacting Dr. Jeremy Patrick <jeremy.patrick@usq.edu.au>, Convenor of the Law, Religion, and Heritage Research Program Team. You are asked to submit a short (100-250 word) precis of your planned presentation by 1 October 2021.

Are you interested in attending?  Please RSVP with Dr Jeremy Patrick <jeremy.patrick@usq.edu.au> by 1 October 2021.  There is no cost to attend.

Gray on 'The Legality of Denial of Service to Same Sex Partners and Organisations: Developments in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia’

 Professor Anthony Gray of the USQ School of Law and Justice has published a new article titled 'The Legality of Denial of Service to Same Sex Partners and Organisations: Developments in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia’.  The article appears in Volume 17(2) of the Canberra Law Review.  Here is the abstract:

"This paper considers United Kingdom and United States high court developments in relation to refusal of service to a same-sex individual and same sex couple, based on religious grounds. It considers how similar issues would likely be resolved under current anti-discrimination legislation in Australia."

Crowley-Cyr on 'Workplace Safety, Deadly Jellyfish and Tourists: A Novel Approach to an Emergent Problem'

 Associate Professor Lynda Crowley-Cyr of the USQ School of Law and Justice has published a new article titled 'Workplace Safety, Deadly Jellyfish and Tourists: A Novel Approach to an Emergent Problem'.  The article appears in Volume 39(3) of the University of Queensland Law Journal.  Here is the abstract:

"This article considers the hazards posed by marine stingers (notably Irukandjis) to recreational divers and snorkelers through the lens of Queensland’s unique workplace health and safety regulatory regime. The sustainability of diving and snorkelling tourism is highly dependent on the quality and safety of the services provided. The regime already contemplates the role of operators, the impact of sting-protective swimwear and other matters. An independent review of the State’s workplace laws in 2017 influenced changes to the law to improve its clarity, enforcement and prosecutions. However, this article argues that in relation to the management of marine stinger risks, with further slight adjustments to enhance clarity and consistency, the regulatory framework could achieve greater effectiveness in terms of compliance. This is important in a harmonised regulatory system. Other jurisdictions in Australia facing dangerous jellyfish hazards can refer to Queensland’s laws as a model of industry standards for the provision of safer recreational water activities. The article concludes with practical recommendations."

Hemming on ‘Student "voice" and higher education assessment: Is it all about the money?'

 Associate Professor Andrew Hemming of the USQ School of Law and Justice has published an article titled  ‘Student "voice" and higher education assessment: Is it all about the money?'  Co-written with Margaret Power, the article appears in Volume 18(1) of the Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice.  Here is the abstract:

"University administered Student Evaluation of Teaching surveys, while used primarily by educators and their managers to review and improve the quality of courses and teaching, can also be used by universities’ marketing campaigns and websites as a means of stressing their institution’s student friendliness and responsiveness to students’ needs. Changes in assessment practices is one way that tertiary institutions are responding to students’ preferences. However, there is a lack of understanding of the underlying factors that moderate decisions about assessment changes. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether or not a meaningful body of research concerning student ‘choice’ in higher education assessment exists, and how the extent of student ‘choice’ may change in the future. Emphasis has been placed on the assessment methods adopted in law and professional degrees in Australia. However, a broad review of international research from other relevant higher education discipline areas has also been undertaken in this paper."

Crowley-Cyr on 'Using Peer Assisted Learning to improve academic engagement and progression of first year online law students’

Associate Professor Lynda Crowley-Cyr of the USQ School of Law and Justice has co-written a new article titled 'Using Peer Assisted Learning to improve academic engagement and progression of first year online law students'.  Written with James Hevers, the article appears in Volume 18(1) of the Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice.  Here is the abstract:

"The University of Southern Queensland’s online study environment continues to grow with over 16,000 students studying online. Pre-Covid-19, online enrolments typically represent around 67% of all students studying at USQ. This article usefully analyses quantitative data in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot of an online peer-assisted learning program for first-year Law students. The article asks whether a customised online Meet-Up program can objectively enhance student engagement and academic performance in a first-year law course. Results from the pilot were positive and are a productive contribution to the literature on online peer-assisted learning."