Jay Sanderson

Professor Jay Sanderson serves as Dean of the School of Law and Society at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Queensland, Australia, maintaining an adjunct position as Research Fellow with Griffith University's Law Futures Centre. His academic journey includes a PhD (Queensland), LLB Honours (Queensland UT), Graduate Diploma in Education (Melbourne), BA in Psychology (Queensland), and BAppSc (Victoria UT).

Sanderson's research examines interdisciplinary connections between law, science and society, with current focus areas including:

• Legal representations of nature in policy frameworks
• Biodiversity conservation through BioTrade mechanisms
• Agricultural certification marks and trade regulations
• Digital technology applications in farming systems
• Intellectual property protection for plant genetic resources

His publications predominantly explore intellectual property frameworks within agricultural and food systems, demonstrating consistent examination of how legal structures impact food security, plant breeding rights, and technology adoption in farming. Recurring themes include international agreements (UPOV, RCEP), consumer protection in food labeling, and socioeconomic dimensions of agricultural innovation.

Research Funding:
Significant grants include:

• Growing a Digital Future (CRDC, $125K, 2019)
• Meat & Livestock Data Principles Review (MLA, $27K, 2018)
• Farm Data Co-operative development (Birchip Group, $25K, 2018)
• Precision to Decision Agriculture (Dept Agriculture, $1.3M, 2016-2018)
• Food and Fibre Futures IP project (ARC Discovery, $285K, 2012-2014)

Sanderson supervises postgraduate research in intellectual property law, agricultural regulations, and biodiversity governance, while teaching courses including Tort Law, Health Law, and specialized Intellectual Property Law.