Jessica Kerr

Jessica Kerr is a Lecturer at the UWA Law School and Editor of the UWA Law Review. She teaches in the Law and Society and Juris Doctor programmes. Her research focuses on judicial studies, sociolegal contexts, public law, and constitutional law in comparative perspectives. A NZ and US-trained barrister and solicitor, she previously served as a criminal magistrate in the Seychelles and coordinated the Seychelles Legal Information Institute. She holds a PhD from The University of Western Australia (2024), an LLM from Yale University (2009), and LLB and BA degrees from Victoria University of Wellington (2006).

Education:

• PhD in Law, The University of Western Australia (2024)
• LLM in Law, Yale University (2009)
• LLB(Hons) in Law, Victoria University of Wellington (2006)
• BA in English Literature, Victoria University of Wellington (2006)

Research Interests: Judicial independence, AI in legal systems, constitutional law, and legal reform. Her work explores topics such as judicial competence, comparative governance, and rule of law development. She has contributed to initiatives like the Cambridge Handbook of AI and Technologies in Courts and DPCE Online.

Prizes/Awards:

• University Teaching Award (2021)
• Faculty Teaching and Service Award (2021)
• UWA Student Guild Students' Choice Award (2020)
• Kercher Scholarship (2019)
• TEDxUWA Choice Award (2019)

Advising/Grants: Accepting PhD candidates in areas aligned with her research. Active in editorial roles (e.g., UWA Law Review), conferences, and professional activities, including the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with UWA Law School initiatives, judicial education programs, and collaborations in Australia, NZ, and East Africa.