Zoe Bush

Zoe Bush serves as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the UWA Law School, The University of Western Australia. Her academic work critically examines the intersection of Indigenous justice, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), and the Australian legal system, with particular focus on Western Australia and colonial justice frameworks.

Dr. Bush's research interests center on Indigenous justice systems, specifically examining how Indigenous youth with FASD navigate legal procedures within a colonial context. Her work explores themes of indefinite detention, colonial dispossession, and legal capacity, with significant contributions to understanding the challenges faced by Aboriginal persons found unfit to stand trial. She approaches these issues through decolonizing frameworks that challenge traditional legal binaries and advocate for needs-based justice alternatives.

Analysis of her publications reveals a consistent focus on the intersection of cognitive impairment, Indigenous rights, and colonial legal systems in Australia. Her research demonstrates growing policy impact, with citations in government inquiries and policy documents related to the indefinite detention of people with cognitive and psychiatric impairments. The work shows a trajectory from examining specific legal cases to developing broader theoretical frameworks for understanding colonial justice systems.

Dr. Bush has actively engaged with the policy community through submissions to government committees, including the Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs regarding indefinite detention of people with cognitive impairments. She has also contributed to public discourse through blog posts on platforms like the Social and Legal Studies Blog, demonstrating commitment to translating academic research into practical policy recommendations.

Her scholarly work has been cited across multiple platforms including academic journals, policy documents, and social media, with significant engagement on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The research has particularly resonated with scholars and practitioners working at the intersection of law, Indigenous studies, and cognitive health conditions.