Patricia Easteal

Biography

Professor Patricia Easteal AM, PhD  is a Professor at the School of Law and Justice, University of Canberra. In 2010 she was awarded an Australian Honour and was named the ACT Australian of the Year. She was a finalist in Australian Human Rights awards in 2012. She has published 17 books and over 170 academic publications primarily focusing on access to justice for women and violence against women. Her most recent book (with Anna Carline) is Shades of Grey: Domestic and Sexual Violence Against Women- Law Reform and Society (Routledge, 2014).

She investigates the context of the law and how social structures, language, and values affect the substance and practice of the law, specifically in the areas of criminal law, family law, discrimination law, employment law and immigration law. Important aspects of her research are its applicability to real life issues such as law reform and its nexus with her teaching.  Her teaching excellence was recognised in 2008 with an Australian Learning and Teaching Council National Teaching Award and in 2007 with a VC Distinction Award and a Carrick Citation ‘For effective research-led learning approaches that engage law students in independent and critical inquiry into the complex ties between law, society and access to justice.’

She describes herself as an academic, author, activist and advocate

Education

PhD University of Pittsburgh

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Violence against women and the law; women and the law, access to justice, family law, discrimination law

Personal Interests

Family, Running, meditation, bushwalking

Books