Executive Officer: Kelsey Newell - 83020552
Project Officer: Keita Wyld - 8302 0226
Executive Assistant: Trish Reimer - 8302 7160
Professor Irene Watson is the Pro Vice Chancellor Aboriginal Leadership and Strategy, and Professor of Law with the School of Law, University of South Australia Business School, where her teaching and research focuses primarily on Indigenous Peoples in both domestic and international law.
Professor Watson belongs to the Tanganekald, Meintangk Boandik First Nations Peoples, of the Coorong and the south east of South Australia.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a PhD in Law from the University of Adelaide, and was awarded the Bonython Prize for best Law Thesis in 2000. She has previously held academic positions at the University of Adelaide and Flinders University Law Schools. Irene was a post-doctoral fellow with the University of... Read more
About me
Professor Irene Watson is the Pro Vice Chancellor Aboriginal Leadership and Strategy, and Professor of Law with the School of Law, University of South Australia Business School, where her teaching and research focuses primarily on Indigenous Peoples in both domestic and international law.
Professor Watson belongs to the Tanganekald, Meintangk Boandik First Nations Peoples, of the Coorong and the south east of South Australia.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a PhD in Law from the University of Adelaide, and was awarded the Bonython Prize for best Law Thesis in 2000. She has previously held academic positions at the University of Adelaide and Flinders University Law Schools. Irene was a post-doctoral fellow with the University of Sydney Law School before taking up an appointment in 2008 with the University of South Australia at the David Unaipon College of Indigenous Research and Education and has provided independent academic opinions to First Nations Peoples across Australia for some 30 years.
Professor Watson has been acknowledged for her scholarship and being the first Aboriginal law graduate in the re launch of the 'Irene Watson Room' at the Adelaide University Law School in 2016, and first dedicated in 1989, a further room was dedicated to her at the University of Adelaide in 1999 by the student union and in 1987 she was nominated as 'SA Aboriginal of the Year'.
She has held a legal practicing certificate since 1985 and been a member of the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement in South Australia since 1973, where she has in the past served as a board member, legal practitioner and CEO. Professor Watson is the current Chairperson of Kungari Aboriginal Association, established in 1988 by elders for the purpose of managing and protecting Aboriginal lands and culture in the south east region. She has served on numerous Aboriginal bodies across Australia primarily concerned with advancing Aboriginal rights. In 2013 she was awarded an ARC Indigenous Discovery Fellowship which has enabled her to work on a three year project titled: Indigenous Knowledge: Law, Society and the State.
Professor Watson is a peer reviewer in the law discipline for the Australian Research Council (ARC) and is also an External Assessor for Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
She has written numerous journal articles and book chapters, recently the author of Aboriginal Peoples, Colonialism, and International Law: Raw Law (Routledge 2015), and also the forthcoming publication, Indigenous Peoples as Subjects in International Law (Routledge 2017).
About me
Member of SA Law Society
Member of SA Law Society, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
About me
Doctor of Philosophy University of Adelaide
Masters of Law University of Adelaide
Bachelor of Law University of Adelaide
Pro-Vice Chancellor, Aboriginal Strategy and Engagement, University of South Australia: 2016 - current
Research Professor School: Law, UniSA Business School, University of South Australia: 2014 - current
Associate Professor, DUCIER, UniSA EASS, University of South Australia: 2008-2013
Sesqui Post Doctoral Research Fellow, The University of Sydney: 2005-2008
Lecturer, Flinders University Law School: 2002-2005
ARC Discovery Indigenous Award: Indigenous Knowledges: Law, Society and the State (1N130100005),
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Indigenous Knowledge, Law, Society and the State, ARC Discovery Indigenous, 01/01/2013 - 31/12/2017
Indigenous knowledge: water sustainability and wild fire mitigation., ARC - Discovery Indigenous (Indigenous Researchers Development), 01/01/2011 - 11/04/2016
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
Year | Output |
---|---|
2015 |
|
2014 |
39
56
|
2011 |
16
16
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2017 |
Watson, I 2017, Indigenous peoples as subjects of international law, Routledge, US.
4
3
|
2014 |
39
56
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2022 |
Open access
|
2018 |
Open access
1
|
2017 |
Open access
3
45
|
2017 |
Open access
5
|
2017 |
Open access
1
|
2017 |
Open access
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
2012 |
Open access
11
|
2010 |
Open access
|
2009 |
|
2008 |
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2019 |
Open access
1
|
2018 |
Open access
|
2018 |
Open access
18
13
8
|
2017 |
7
4
|
2016 |
Watson, I 2016, 'First Nations and the colonial project', Inter Gentes, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 30-39.
Open access
|
2014 |
Open access
9
1
|
2014 |
Open access
58
|
2012 |
Open access
|
2011 |
16
16
|
2011 |
9
5
|
2010 |
Open access
|
2009 |
Open access
|
2009 |
Open access
|
2009 |
66
49
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2012 |
Open access
|
2008 |
|
2008 |
|
Research
ARC Discovery Indigenous Award: Indigenous Knowledges: Law, Society and the State (1N130100005),
Editorial Board Member International Advisory Board Feminist Legal Studies, 2016
Editorial Board Member International Journal Critical Indigenous Studies, 2016
Editorial Board Member Australian Journal: Critical Race and Whiteness Studies, 2016
Editorial Board Member Editorial Board Alter Natives Journal, 2016
Member, Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Committee, 2011-2012
Member External Review, of Law Programs Southern Cross University Law Review, 2011.
Chair and member Kungari Aboriginal Heritage Association, 1988-2016
Member Indigenous Studies Research Network, QUT, 2008-2016
External engagement & recognition
Organisation | Country |
---|---|
Central Queensland University | AUSTRALIA |
University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
University of New England | AUSTRALIA |
University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
Working Group on Indigenous Populations | SWITZERLAND |
External engagement & recognition
Engagement/recognition | Year |
---|---|
Indigenous Studies Excellence and Engagement (ISEE) GroupAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2021 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2018 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2018 |
Editorial Board MemberAlter Natives Journal |
2018 |
Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal Critical Indigenous Studies |
2018 |
Engagement and Impact Assessment EI 2018 Panel Member (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Panel)Australian Research Council (ARC) |
2018 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2018 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2017 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2017 |
Editorial Board MemberAlter Natives Journal |
2017 |
Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal Critical Indigenous Studies |
2017 |
External Assessor, Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada |
2017 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2017 |
Peer reviewer for Law DisciplineAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2017 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2016 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2016 |
Committee MemberLaw Society of South Australia, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee |
2016 |
Editorial Board MemberAlter Natives Journal |
2016 |
Editorial Board MemberCritical Race and Whiteness Studies Journal |
2016 |
Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal Critical Indigenous Studies |
2016 |
External assessorResearch Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities |
2016 |
International Advisory Board Member, Feminist Legal StudiesKent University |
2016 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2016 |
University of Adelaide Student Union Room named Irene Watson RoomThe University of Adelaide |
2016 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2015 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2015 |
Editorial Board MemberCritical Race and Whiteness Studies Journal |
2015 |
Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal Critical Indigenous Studies |
2015 |
External assessorResearch Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities |
2015 |
International Advisory Board Member, Feminist Legal StudiesKent University |
2015 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2015 |
University of Adelaide Student Union Room named Irene Watson RoomThe University of Adelaide |
2015 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2014 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2014 |
Editorial Board MemberCritical Race and Whiteness Studies Journal |
2014 |
Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal Critical Indigenous Studies |
2014 |
External assessorResearch Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities |
2014 |
International Advisory Board Member, Feminist Legal StudiesKent University |
2014 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2014 |
University of Adelaide Student Union Room named Irene Watson RoomThe University of Adelaide |
2014 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2013 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2013 |
Editorial Board MemberCritical Race and Whiteness Studies Journal |
2013 |
Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal Critical Indigenous Studies |
2013 |
Expert Consultation on civil and political rights of Indigenous PeoplesIntervention made to the United Nations Independent Expert on The promotion of an Equitable and Democratic International Order - Alfred de Zayas, Expert Consultation Geneva |
2013 |
External assessorResearch Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities |
2013 |
International Advisory Board Member, Feminist Legal StudiesKent University |
2013 |
MemberIndigenous Higher Education Advisory Committee, Minister of Education, Canberra |
2013 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2013 |
University of Adelaide Student Union Room named Irene Watson RoomThe University of Adelaide |
2013 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2012 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2012 |
Editorial Board MemberCritical Race and Whiteness Studies Journal |
2012 |
Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal Critical Indigenous Studies |
2012 |
Expert Consultation on Aboriginal law, native title and failed recognitionIntervention to United Nations Seminar on Strengthening partnership between Indigenous Peoples and States, Treaties, Agreements and Constructive Arrangements, Geneva |
2012 |
External assessorResearch Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities |
2012 |
International Advisory Board Member, Feminist Legal StudiesKent University |
2012 |
MemberIndigenous Higher Education Advisory Committee, Minister of Education, Canberra |
2012 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2012 |
University of Adelaide Student Union Room named Irene Watson RoomThe University of Adelaide |
2012 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2011 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2011 |
Editorial Board MemberCritical Race and Whiteness Studies Journal |
2011 |
Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal Critical Indigenous Studies |
2011 |
External assessorResearch Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities |
2011 |
External Reviewer, Law ProgramsSouthern Cross University Law Review, NSW |
2011 |
Gladys Elphick AwardSouth Australian Aboriginal Community |
2011 |
International Advisory Board Member, Feminist Legal StudiesKent University |
2011 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2011 |
University of Adelaide Student Union Room named Irene Watson RoomThe University of Adelaide |
2011 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2010 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2010 |
Editorial Board MemberCritical Race and Whiteness Studies Journal |
2010 |
Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal Critical Indigenous Studies |
2010 |
External assessorResearch Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities |
2010 |
International Advisory Board Member, Feminist Legal StudiesKent University |
2010 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2010 |
MemberJuvenile Justice Review Board South Australia |
2010 |
University of Adelaide Student Union Room named Irene Watson RoomThe University of Adelaide |
2010 |
Vice Chancellor NominationATN Women Executive Development Program |
2010 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2009 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2009 |
Editorial Board MemberCritical Race and Whiteness Studies Journal |
2009 |
External assessorResearch Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities |
2009 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2009 |
MemberJuvenile Justice Review Board South Australia |
2009 |
University of Adelaide Student Union Room named Irene Watson RoomThe University of Adelaide |
2009 |
AssessorAustralian Research Council (ARC) |
2008 |
ChairKungari Aboriginal Cultural Association |
2008 |
Editorial Board MemberCritical Race and Whiteness Studies Journal |
2008 |
External assessorResearch Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities |
2008 |
MemberArtists in the Black Reference Group, NSW |
2008 |
MemberIndigenous Studies Research Network, QUT |
2008 |
MemberJuvenile Justice Review Board South Australia |
2008 |
University of Adelaide Student Union Room named Irene Watson RoomThe University of Adelaide |
2008 |
Visiting FellowshipKeele University |
|
Visiting FellowshipUniversity of Westminster |
Aboriginal Knowledges
Colonialism and the Law
International Law and Aboriginal Peoples
Critical Legal Theory
Legal History
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
Thesis title | Student status |
---|---|
Laws that colonise: Aboriginal children, child protection and the Australian legal system | Current |
Indigenous education policies in Malaysia and Australia: a study of the recognition of Indigenous rights and self-determination | Completed |
Society and the recognition of First Nations in international and domestic laws | Completed |