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Law & society

News about legal, social and ethical issues based on peer-reviewed studies or expert analysis

Latest news

24 May 2021

Students create platform to report sexual harassment, bullying in law firms

A group of students at the University of Sydney have developed Confidant - an online platform where users can anonymously report and seek redress and support for bullying and sexual harassment in law firms.
21 May 2021

University launches ARC DARE Centre

Bringing together industry and government, as well as data scientists, geoscientists, hydrologists, and ecologists from across Australia, DARE is the first cohort-based data science PhD training program in Australia.
19 May 2021

Why benchmark human rights in financial services?

The link between financial services' business activities and their human rights impacts are not well understood. Publicly benchmarking performance can create pressure to improve: our benchmark offers a snapshot of FSE performance and a way toward better outcomes.
18 May 2021

People more confident about vaccines in countries where trust in science is high

Using the world's largest vaccine confidence survey, researchers established that the more a national population trusts science, the more likely they are to believe that vaccines are safe and effective.
18 May 2021

1 in 5 NSW teachers temporary, vulnerable to exploitation

Temporary teachers, the majority of whom are female and not temporarily employed by choice, face the same work demands as permanent teachers - yet face more pressure due to their precarious work status.
14 May 2021

Australians support managed reopening of borders

A new poll commissioned by the Sydney Policy Lab has found the majority of Australians support a careful reopening of international borders once more people are vaccinated, and from countries where the COVID-19 pandemic is under control.
12 May 2021

5 things you need to know about the federal budget

From aged care and mental health to childcare and superannuation, experts from the University of Sydney respond to key announcements in the 2021-2022 federal budget.
03 May 2021

Financial sector fails human rights test

Research on 22 ASX-listed financial companies has found that they fail to walk their human rights talk: there is no board-level accountability for human rights breaches, despite the existence of pro-human rights policies.
23 April 2021

How the gaming industry justifies in-game gambling

Despite soaring revenues, companies are increasingly embedding gambling devices in games. A new study examines why this is the new norm.
16 April 2021

Port Arthur had survivors: the world's other victims of gun violence

Gun violence tends to be measured in lives lost, rather than the much more numerous survivors of gun violence. Gun law advocate, Rebecca Peters, is working to redress the balance.
15 April 2021

Dorothy Hoddinott awarded honorary doctorate

The University of Sydney has awarded an honorary doctorate to Dorothy Hoddinott AO in recognition of her outstanding contributions to public education, social justice and human rights.
30 March 2021

New deal for Uber drivers in UK, but Australia's gig workers must wait

Uber has been forced by the UK courts to treat its British drivers as workers. It will probably require legislative change for Uber's Australian drivers to be treated as employees, write Drs Alex Veen, Tom Barratt and Caleb Goods.
25 March 2021

Consent laws aren't the reason for low sexual assault conviction rates

An app won't fix issues associated with consent in sexual encounters, writes rape law expert and Dean, Sydney Law School, Professor Simon Bronitt.
22 March 2021

People with dementia need more support for decision-making

People living with dementia need support to make their own lifestyle and health care decisions. Supported decision-making can secure the rights, will and preferences of people with disabilities.
16 March 2021

University of Sydney welcomes passage of Freedom of Speech Bill

The University of Sydney welcomed news that Federal Parliament has passed legislation to strengthen and protect academic freedom and freedom of speech.
15 March 2021

Will women forsake the Liberal party at the next election?

Last election, the Liberal party attracted the lowest number of votes from women since 1987. This trend could continue, however, as Dr Sarah Cameron explains, voting behaviour is often impacted by the salient issues of the day.
12 March 2021

Evidence shows mental illness isn't a reason to doubt women survivors

Research reveals many women demonstrate resilience after violence and abuse. Others report mental distress made worse by disappointing system responses, victim-blaming, and other negative social impacts, writes Dr Emma Tseris.
08 March 2021

Australia has a long history of coercing people into work. There are better options than 'dobbing in'

JobSeeker rules are an extension of Australian's long history of making unemployment support contingent on the idea of "deservedness", writes Dr Frances Flanagan.
05 March 2021

A military-led internet shutdown in Myanmar may be imminent

Technology has played a key role for both sides engaged in the conflict. So what would happen if Myanmar's military shut down all communication to the outside? Dr Susan Banki from Sydney Southeast Asia Centre explains.
04 March 2021

How we tackle the obesity epidemic needs to change

On World Obesity Day our experts discuss policy change, research and treatment that aligns with this year's global theme "Every Body Needs Everybody."