Tristan Harley

Tristan Harley is a Senior Researcher at the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law in the Faculty of Law & Justice at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Dual-trained as a lawyer and historian, he is recognized globally for his expertise in international refugee and human rights law. His work focuses on refugee participation in decision-making and regional legal cooperation for refugee protection.

• PhD, University of New South Wales
• Juris Doctor (First Class Honours), University of New South Wales
• Bachelor of Arts Advanced (First Class Honours in History), University of Sydney
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Australian National University

Harley’s research explores the international legal frameworks enabling refugee participation in governance. He investigates how refugee inclusion can reshape policies in the Asia Pacific, co-leading projects with scholars who have experienced displacement. His scholarly contributions include co-authoring Refugees, Regionalism and Responsibility (Edward Elgar, 2016), and publishing in journals such as Forced Migration Review and Refugee Survey Quarterly.

Harley has secured significant research grants, including from the Gerdha Henkel Stiftung and Act for Peace, to advance refugee-led research methodologies. His work with the Kaldor Centre's Emerging Scholars Network and Displaced Scholars Peer Mentoring Program underscores his commitment to academic outreach. He teaches Forced Migration and Human Rights in International Law (LAWS3187/JURD7387), blending historical and legal perspectives.