Ann Black

Professor Ann Black is a faculty member at the TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland, and serves as Executive Director of the Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law. She specializes in comparative law, law & religion, and legal pluralism, with a focus on Islamic law and Asian legal systems, particularly Brunei Darussalam. Her research explores religious freedom, legal pluralism, and the intersection of colonial legacies with contemporary legal frameworks.

Professor Black has held notable roles including Centre Director of the Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law, Program Manager for the Indonesian Law Program, Legal Pluralism Program, and Korean Law Program. She teaches courses on Asian legal systems, Islamic law, and comparative criminal law.

Her research interests emphasize legal pluralism, religious rights, and the governance of religious diversity. Key areas include the application of Sharia law in secular societies, colonial legal legacies, and judicial systems in Southeast Asia. Professor Black has authored or co-authored multiple influential books, including Modern Perspectives on Islamic Law and Freedom of Religion and Religious Diversity.

She has received prestigious awards for teaching excellence, including the UQ Teaching Excellence Award (2022) and the Australian Awards for University Teaching (2023). Her work has been presented globally at conferences and seminars, addressing topics such as legal education reform, religious accommodation policies, and judicial independence in Brunei.

Professor Black’s research also extends to pandemic-related legal challenges, gender rights in Islamic contexts, and the impact of colonial legal systems on modern legal frameworks. She is actively involved in interdisciplinary collaborations, bridging legal theory with practical policy analysis.