Law & society

03 May 2021

Financial sector fails human rights test

Research on 22 ASX-listed financial companies has found that they fail to walk their human rights talk: there is no board-level accountability for human rights breaches, despite the existence of pro-human rights policies.

23 April 2021

How the gaming industry justifies in-game gambling

Despite soaring revenues, companies are increasingly embedding gambling devices in games. A new study examines why this is the new norm.

16 April 2021

Port Arthur had survivors: the world's other victims of gun violence

Gun violence tends to be measured in lives lost, rather than the much more numerous survivors of gun violence. Gun law advocate, Rebecca Peters, is working to redress the balance.

15 April 2021

Dorothy Hoddinott awarded honorary doctorate

The University of Sydney has awarded an honorary doctorate to Dorothy Hoddinott AO in recognition of her outstanding contributions to public education, social justice and human rights.

30 March 2021

New deal for Uber drivers in UK, but Australia's gig workers must wait

Uber has been forced by the UK courts to treat its British drivers as workers. It will probably require legislative change for Uber's Australian drivers to be treated as employees, write Drs Alex Veen, Tom Barratt and Caleb Goods.

25 March 2021

Consent laws aren't the reason for low sexual assault conviction rates

An app won't fix issues associated with consent in sexual encounters, writes rape law expert and Dean, Sydney Law School, Professor Simon Bronitt.

22 March 2021

People with dementia need more support for decision-making

People living with dementia need support to make their own lifestyle and health care decisions. Supported decision-making can secure the rights, will and preferences of people with disabilities.

16 March 2021

University of Sydney welcomes passage of Freedom of Speech Bill

The University of Sydney welcomed news that Federal Parliament has passed legislation to strengthen and protect academic freedom and freedom of speech.

15 March 2021

Will women forsake the Liberal party at the next election?

Last election, the Liberal party attracted the lowest number of votes from women since 1987. This trend could continue, however, as Dr Sarah Cameron explains, voting behaviour is often impacted by the salient issues of the day.

12 March 2021

Evidence shows mental illness isn't a reason to doubt women survivors

Research reveals many women demonstrate resilience after violence and abuse. Others report mental distress made worse by disappointing system responses, victim-blaming, and other negative social impacts, writes Dr Emma Tseris.

08 March 2021

Australia has a long history of coercing people into work. There are better options than 'dobbing in'

JobSeeker rules are an extension of Australian's long history of making unemployment support contingent on the idea of "deservedness", writes Dr Frances Flanagan.

05 March 2021

A military-led internet shutdown in Myanmar may be imminent

Technology has played a key role for both sides engaged in the conflict. So what would happen if Myanmar's military shut down all communication to the outside? Dr Susan Banki from Sydney Southeast Asia Centre explains.

04 March 2021

How we tackle the obesity epidemic needs to change

On World Obesity Day our experts discuss policy change, research and treatment that aligns with this year's global theme "Every Body Needs Everybody."

03 March 2021

International experience for students continues during pandemic

Despite the COVID-19 border closures, University of Sydney students have still obtained international experience as part of their degree.

19 February 2021

Myanmar's young protesters are funny, brave and media-savvy

Young anti-coup protesters in Myanmar are using pop culture references to Hunger Games and Game of Thrones, and punk and pop music to get their message across and they won't back down, writes Dr Susan Banki of Sydney Southeast Asia Centre.

18 February 2021

Banning news links just days before Australia's COVID vaccine rollout? Facebook, that's just dangerous

The combined effect of Facebook's ban could be damaging to public health messaging, right before Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout, writes misinformation researcher, Maryke Steffens.

17 February 2021

Can bots influence elections with the 'megaphone effect'?

With speculation increasing of an election in Australia later this year, a new study has found Twitter bots can amplify tweets from candidates. But is anyone listening?

12 February 2021

Mr Morrison, please enshrine our climate targets in law

Australia is on track to create carbon reduction targets that are on par with other nations. Yet history proves this won't happen without an enforcement mechanism, writes Professor Tim Stephens from Sydney Law School.

11 February 2021

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

The 11th of February is the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science: a day that recognises the achievements of women in science and aims to encourage women and girls to pursue studies and careers in STEMM.

02 February 2021

Sydney and Melbourne increasingly divided at homeownership level

Sydney and Melbourne are becoming divided at the home ownership level, with renters clustering with renters and homeowners with homeowners, new research reveals.