John Southalan

John Southalan is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia Law School. He specializes in mining regulation, human rights law, and Indigenous rights, with a focus on policy analysis and legal reform. He holds part-time roles as an Independent Examiner for the Australian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct and serves as a panel mediator in the Northern Territory. Southalan has a law degree from UWA (1993), an MBA in Mineral Resource Management from Dundee, and extensive professional experience with organizations like the Western Australian Bar Association and the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy. His research explores intersections between mining, human rights, and environmental policy, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and responsible consumption.

• Education: LL.B. (UWA, 1993), MBA in Mineral Resource Management (Dundee)
• Professional Affiliations: WA Bar Association, International Law Association, Global Business and Human Rights Scholars Association

Research interests include mining agreements, CSR regulation, and legal frameworks for Indigenous rights. He has advised governments and NGOs on mining law reforms and contributed to over 50 publications. Southalan volunteers with organizations like the Environmental Defender’s Office and the Centre for Native Title Anthropology.

Notable professional activities include peer-review work for journals like the Australian Journal of Human Rights and consultancy roles in law reform inquiries. He led a project on Parliaments and Mining Agreements funded by AusAID.