Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law

Undertake a PhD in Law at Flinders

The power to change

Understand the legal issues of today to influence change and impact lives in the future by undertaking independent research in an area of law that can make a difference. Develop your legal expertise and gain essential transferable skills, such as competency in advanced research, critical thinking, legal writing, communication, and project management. You will be part of a vibrant academic community that values both established and emerging areas of legal research.

Domestic

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Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

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(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

Why undertake a PhD in Law at Flinders

Work with supervisors who are global experts in their field
Collaborate with industry partners
Explore possibilities for interdisciplinary research
Establish links with world-class overseas universities
Make a difference in the world – your research has the potential to change people’s lives

Discover more about research at the College of Business, Government and Law

Your career

A PhD in Law can open the door to a career both inside the courtroom and out. With in-depth knowledge in a legal specialty you will be attractive to both national and international government and non-governmental organisations, in areas of legal practice, business, diplomacy, social justice, and human rights.

Potential occupations include:

Consultant
Legal advisor
Practicing lawyer
Civil servant
Legal/Human rights advocate
Government analyst
Academic/Researcher

Potential employers include:

Government
Research Institutes/Think Tanks
Law Firms
National and international corporations
NGOs
Universities

Top up scholarships available

Top up scholarships are available for newly enrolled high-achieving domestic or international PhD students in the College of Business, Government and Law on the basis of academic merit and research potential.

The six scholarships available are valued at $5,000 per annum for the duration of a PhD degree (maximum 3 years, with a possible 6-month extension).

Find out more

Potential research supervisors

Flinders Law academic staff are recognised as leaders in their fields both in Australia and around the world. Our academics draw on their extensive knowledge to undertake research that makes a difference to people's lives.

Professor Margaret Davies

Legal theory, feminist legal theory

Associate Professor Hossein Esmaeili

International law, Islamic and Middle Eastern law, immigration and refugee law

Dr Esther Erlings

Family law and social policy, human rights, children's rights

Associate Professor Vivienne Brand

Corporate law, corporate ethics, Social licence to operate, Corporate whistleblowing, AI and corporate boards, Foreign bribery

Associate Professor Marinella Marmo

Gender and human rights, corporate and transnational crime, human trafficking

Associate Professor Vivienne Brand	Corporate law, corporate ethics, social licence to operate, corporate whistleblowing, AI and corporate boards, foreign bribery
Professor Margaret Davies	Legal theory, feminist legal theory
Dr Esther Erlings	Family law and social policy, human rights, children's rights
Associate Professor Hossein Esmaeili	International law, Islamic and Middle Eastern law, immigration and refugee law
Mr Brendan Grigg	Environmental law, property law, urban planning law
Dr Sanzhuan Guo	International human rights law, Chinese law, immigration and refugee law
Associate Professor Marinella Marmo	Gender and human rights, corporate and transnational crime, human trafficking
Mr Mark Rankin	Civil litigation, legal history, civil justice policy and reform
Professor Melissa de Zwart	Digital technology; internet law and regulation; international and domestic space law; commercial space law; military and strategic space law and policy; intellectual property; information warfare and disinformation; social media; content regulation; defence and military law
Dr Rowan Nicholson	International law, constitutional law
James Scheibner	Privacy law, particularly comparative privacy law, health law and bioethics, particularly medical research ethics, technology and regulation, particularly in the fields of information communication technology, neurotechnology and medical device approvals, copyright law, patent law.

How to apply

Review the course rule

Check your eligibility

Find a research supervisor

Find out about scholarships and fees

Prepare your application

Submit your application

Apply now

Meet our PhD students

Thomas Jupe

Thesis title: The accountability of State crime: An exploration into the human rights violations concerning the Rohingya of Myanmar
Supervisors: Dr Sanzhuan Guo, Associate Professor Marinella Marmo

This project explores the ongoing ‘genocidal violence’ committed against the Rohingya ethnic population of Myanmar by government forces, in an attempt to bring to light the legal and political factors that allow nation states to continue to carry out serious violations of human rights, with no immediate intervention from international law.