Emma Colvin

Emma Colvin is an Associate Professor in Law and Criminology at Charles Sturt University, affiliated with the Aspro Centre for Law and Justice, specializing in contemporary threats to Australian security. She holds a PhD in Law from Monash University. Her research focuses on criminal justice systems, bail decision-making, care-experienced youth, Indigenous legal education, and extremism.

Key research interests include the intersection of law and criminology, with particular attention to vulnerable populations such as children in out-of-home care, radicalization factors, and equity in higher education. Her work bridges legal practice, policy, and education, emphasizing systemic reform and culturally responsive practices.

Notable achievements include the Distinguished Criminologist Award 2016 and over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Recent studies investigate bail refusal’s public health impact, radicalization pathways of youth, and Indigenous cultural competency in legal education. She collaborates with institutions like the Australian Institute of Criminology and Victoria Parliament on policy submissions addressing extremism and justice reform.

Her projects often involve interdisciplinary teams, blending empirical research with advocacy for marginalized groups. Ongoing work explores parenting obligations of the state and the role of interactive oral assessments in fostering cultural competency among criminal justice students.