Law, Society and Criminology
Welcome from the Head of School
UNSW School of Law, Society and Criminology emphasises the social relevance and impact of rigorous research and teaching. We’re socially engaged interdisciplinary academics and students who share a commitment to driving positive change in law, criminology and justice for the benefit of society. We collaborate with leading researchers, teachers and professionals around the world.
Our students learn and work alongside some of the best teachers and researchers across a range of areas. They develop flexible skills, critical perspectives and broad horizons to shape law, criminology and justice, both now and in the future. Our work influences international and local communities, governments and industries.
Our vision is to conduct high-quality and high-impact research and teaching to achieve effective and just solutions for the world’s most pressing problems. I encourage you to explore our website to find out more about our diverse and unique programs in the Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Juris Doctor, UNSW Practical Legal Training, Master of Laws, Master of Laws by Research, and Doctor of Philosophy programs. Our school welcomes you to our community and we’re very happy to have you with us.
- Professor Lyria Bennett Moses, Head of School
About us
UNSW School of Law, Society and Criminology aims to provide our students with research-driven knowledge and practical skills grounded in justice, interdisciplinarity collaboration and critical thinking. This helps ensure our graduates will be socially impactful leaders and job-ready for diverse organisational settings.
Through collaboration with UNSW Law & Justice’s other schools and research centres, our students gain flexible skills, are outward-looking and understand the impact of law and criminal justice on society. We offer both law and criminology education for all career stages, with a focus on integration of theory, doctrine, interdisciplinarity and experiential learning in law, society and criminology studies.
Our areas include:
- alternative dispute resolution
- clinical legal education, including the Kingsford Legal Centre, Police Powers Clinic and Land and Environment Court Clinic
- criminology and criminal justice, including juvenile justice, media, gender-based violence, policing and drugs
- criminal law, including criminalisation, criminal trials and police powers
- environmental law, including planning, cities, food, new economies and climate change
- expert evidence, law and forensic science
- health and medical law
- labour law
- law and Indigenous communities
- intellectual property theory, history and industry practice
- law and technology, and technology in legal systems
- legal practice
- legal history
- legal professionalism and ethics
- legal theory, including political theory, political crises, critical theory, human rights and biolegality
- research methods.
