Amy Maguire

Amy Maguire is a Professor of Human Rights and International Law at the School of Law and Justice, University of Newcastle, Australia. She co-founded and directs the Centre for Law and Social Justice, a hub for research, advocacy, and community engagement. Her work bridges policy advice, law reform, and public education, with a focus on human rights, public international law, and social justice.

• Collaborated with the Australian Human Rights Commission on human rights education
• Serves on the Human Rights Advisory Panel to the Queensland Parliament
• Board member of Reconciliation NSW

Research Interests span:

• Human Rights (law reform, education, and accountability)
• Indigenous Legal Issues (self-determination, land rights, and policy)
• Climate Change and Displacement (legal implications for coastal/island communities)
• Self-Determination (global frameworks and anti-colonial movements)

Her 15 most recent publications highlight interdisciplinary work at the intersection of international law, climate justice, and post-conflict reconciliation, with a focus on Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Scientific Awards include:

• Australian Awards for University Teaching - Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2019)
• BOLD Team Award for Innovation in Course Development (2019)
• DVC(A) Educator Innovation & Impact Award (2018)
• Dean's Research Award (2018)
• Senior Fellow of Advance HE (2021)

Grants include a $1.18M Australian Research Council (ARC) Industry Fellowship (2024-2028) to advance human rights reform and a $135K grant from the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (2024). She has supervised PhD projects on Crimmigration, Climate Justice, and Forced Displacement.

Labs and Teams: As founding Co-Director of the Centre for Law and Social Justice, she leads initiatives like the annual Youth Forum with Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, fostering public engagement with legal issues. The Centre partners with communities, legal sectors, and global institutions to address social justice challenges.