معرفی
Dr Lara Pratt is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Notre Dame Australia, School of Law (Fremantle Campus), where she has taught since 2012. From 2017 to 2020 she additionally served as Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning) and has been instrumental in curriculum development, student transitions, and community engagement.
Education
- PhD (Macquarie University) – thesis on Bills of Rights
- BA/LLB (Hons) (Macquarie University)
- Graduate Certificate in University Teaching (Notre Dame Australia)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Research Preparation – Humanities (Macquarie University)
Research & Teaching Interests
Dr Pratt’s research centres on public international law, especially international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and human rights protection. She examines how domestic legal systems implement and scrutinise international obligations, with a particular focus on cultural-property protection in armed conflict and the effectiveness of Bills of Rights. Pedagogically, she is passionate about legal education innovation, designing experiential programmes such as the Cambodia international internship and evidence-based transition initiatives that move students from ‘student’ to ‘professional’.
Scholarly Impact
Her recent publications explore prosecution of cultural-heritage destruction (the Al Mahdi ICC case), parliamentary oversight of IHL obligations, and the integration of international-experience components into Australian legal education. Collectively, these works advance both doctrinal understanding and practical educational models for future international lawyers.
Awards & Recognition
- 2020 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (Initiatives)
- 2020 WA Red Cross Service Award
Advising & Supervision
Dr Pratt has supervised numerous Honours dissertations on cutting-edge international-law topics, including command responsibility, genocide determinations in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, gender-related persecution in refugee law, non-refoulement at sea, and the interaction between federal legislation and the Racial Discrimination Act.
Community & Professional Engagement
She maintains an active role with the Australian Red Cross WA Division, serving on the Divisional Advisory Board and the International Humanitarian Law Committee, regularly delivering CPD-accredited training to legal practitioners and the public.
