Sydney Law School is now ranked first in Australia and fourth internationally, according to the Social Science Research Network (SSRN).

Sydney Law School, based on the latest benchmarking figures, is ranked number one for publications per full-time staff member out of all the Group of Eight (Go8) Law Schools, the most research-intensive universities in Australia.

With 80% of staff in the Law School research active, it is not surprising that publications points, as measured by the Higher Education Research Data Collection, have risen steadily over the past five years. This trend will continue with many new research books being published throughout 2010.

Other recent achievements in relation to research include:

• Professor Mary Crock and Associate Professor Ben Saul are investigators on a successful ARC Linkage Project, titled "Small mercies, big futures: Enhancing law, policy and practice in the selection, protection and settlement of refugee children and youth", that includes investigators from ANU, Monash, La Trobe & Murdoch universities and the following partners:

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Multicultural Development Association Inc; Migration Institute of Australia; Centre for Multicultural Youth; Amnesty International Australia; Refugee Advice + Casework Service (RACS).

This project, one of only 3 law projects funded out of the 218 successful projects across Australia, was awarded a total of $413,000 across three years and includes a scholarship for a PhD student.

• Associate Professor Luke Nottage, Mr Micah Burch and Dr Brett Williams have been awarded $30,000 by the Australia Japan Foundation for their project titled "Fostering a Common Culture in Cross-Border Dispute Resolution: Australia, Japan and the Asia-Pacific".

The project will consider the scope for Australia and Japan to develop greater common ground in cross-border dispute resolution law and practice, to facilitate bilateral, regional and even multilateral economic integration.

The project will also involve Professor Tatsuya Nakamura, former ANJeL Research Visitor and General Manager in the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association.