Karina Murray

Karina Murray is an Associate Professor in the Law School at the University of Sydney and a designated University of Sydney Horizon Educator. She previously held positions at the University of Wollongong where she completed her academic qualifications and served as faculty. Her current role centers on legal ethics education and scholarship, with significant contributions to understanding professional identity formation in legal practitioners.

• Bachelor of Arts (UOW)
• LLB (Hons) (UOW)
• PhD (UOW)

Murray's research focuses primarily on legal ethics, legal education, and the legal profession, with particular emphasis on ethical professional identity formation. Her scholarship explores how law students develop their professional identities and ethical frameworks through education. She has pioneered work on law student pledges and belonging in legal education, examining how these elements shape future lawyers' ethical development and professional values. Her research bridges theoretical ethics with practical applications in legal training environments.

Murray's publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward understanding identity formation in legal professionals. Her recent work increasingly focuses on student belonging, emotional intelligence in legal education, and innovative teaching methods. The articles reveal a shift from traditional legal ethics frameworks toward more holistic approaches that consider student well-being, identity development, and community building within law schools. Her scholarship often examines the intersection of legal professionalism with psychological and educational frameworks.

• 2015 Australian Award for University Teaching (AAUT citation)
• 2023 Runner up Academic of the Year, Women Lawyers Association NSW

Murray has significant expertise in early years tertiary education and has developed and taught across multiple subjects including Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Foundations of Law, Contract Law, and Statutory Interpretation. She has received recognition for her teaching excellence, including an Australian Award for University Teaching in 2015. Her professional background includes executive director roles within the Department of Human Services and management of a regional law firm across six locations. She serves as a founding member of the NSW Women Lawyers' Association Wollongong chapter and maintains active membership in professional legal associations.

Murray collaborates extensively with colleagues across institutions, particularly with researchers like Littrich, Mundy, and Tubridy on projects related to legal education and professional identity. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between legal scholarship, educational theory, and psychological frameworks for professional development.