Research

Globally recognised for our research strengths and innovations in teaching, our impact-driven research transforms lives and shapes the future.

School of Law

Law

Dean & Discipline Lead of Law | Catherine Renshaw

Catherine Renshaw is the Dean of Law at Western Sydney University. She obtained her law degree from UNSW and her PhD from Sydney University. She started her legal career at Allens, practicing as a commercial litigator, and then went to work for the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales, where she ran discrimination cases.

Catherine has been a Professor in the School of Law at Western Sydney University since 2020, and has also held the role of Associate Dean of Research.

As a researcher, Catherine’s work focuses on international human rights law. Catherine is Co-Chair of the International Human Rights Law chapter of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law, and a member of the Advisory Committee of Rights of Older Persons Australia (ROPA). Before the coup d’état in Myanmar in 2021, Catherine worked for a decade with civil society groups and pro-democracy activists attempting to consolidate the country’s transition to democracy.

Catherine’s teaching focuses on the critical early-year learning of law students, and on the pedagogical practices that deepen authentic learning and the ethical orientation of law students.

Law at Western Sydney University is driven by a commitment to law as an instrument of social justice. Our world-class research advocates positive legal change to protect human rights, promote social equality through welfare and tax systems, and drive law reform to tackle climate change and other environmental threats. The focus on law and social justice shapes our teaching. Our legal education encourages students to recognise and use their position of social privilege as legal professionals.

Law at Western was rated as High for impact and also engagement in the Australian Research Council Engagement and Impact Assessment. Our students come from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds and our program provides social mobility. Our alumni are successful in gaining employment as barristers and solicitors in private, government and community practice both in Australia and overseas. Our degrees integrate clinical legal experiences and legal technology to equip our students for modern legal practice.

Academics for this Discipline

Acknowledgement of Country

With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Dharawal, Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands (Greater Western Sydney and beyond).