Affiliation: UNSW Law & Justice
Discipline: Law and Legal Studies
Year elected: 2023
How would you describe your work at a dinner party?
If I was at a dinner party right now, I’d tell people that I focus on the law of the sea and that’s concerned with laws between different countries over maritime issues. So I look at the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, warships being blown up. I’ve been writing about the rules governing submarines now that Australia is getting nuclear subs. And I’m also interested in how people are treated at sea—whether its fishers who are being held as slaves on fishing vessels or passengers stranded on cruise ships during covid. That’s the kind of stuff I work on.
What initially drew you to your field of study?
I was interested in things international as a child – perhaps because my father was Hungarian and his story about fleeing Hungary; perhaps because I read the Chalet book series. I wanted to be a diplomat and thought studying law would be the way to do that. Then I got to international law and loved it – all wrapped up in history, geography, politics; such a great field.
What should your field of study be doing more of right now?
I think international lawyers need to keep fighting the good fight. At risk of sounding like a born-again positivist, I want people in the field to be saying clearly what the rules are and why they matter, even if they are being breached. With all due respect to international relations scholars, I don’t want international lawyers talking about the grey zone in any way. We have rules and we have different interpretations of the rules. Without wanting to be overly-dramatic, I worry that we are in a use it or lose it situation. It is important to keep sight of that or the role of international law will be diminished.
Where is your ‘happy’ place?
South West Rocks. Or really anywhere that I can be looking out at the ocean.
What is your desert island movie?
Strictly Ballroom.