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Professor
Stephen Parker, the new dean of Monash's Faculty of Law, is excited by the prospect
of working in an environment that actively promotes skills for a range of careers
for legal practitioners.
Currently professor of law at Griffith University, Professor Parker will take up his new role at Monash late next February.
A former dean of Griffith's law faculty, he has a national reputation as a researcher in and public commentator on legal ethics, legal aid and family law as well as matters concerning the judiciary.
He was the author of a report on 'Courts and the Public', released in September this year and launched by the Attorney-General for Victoria, Mrs Jan Wade. The report contained controversial recommendations for improving the communication between Australian courts and their various communities.
Professor Parker's commitment to the public accountability of the legal and academic communities is evident in his past roles as convenor of the Committee of Australian Law Deans and as secretary, treasurer and spokesperson for the Judicial Conference of Australia, a body representing judges and magistrates.
"The Monash law school prepares people for a changing world and I am very excited about my appointment," Professor Parker said. "Its curriculum is modern and innovative. It recognises that whilst there are multiple careers in law all graduates must have a strong sense of social and professional responsibility."
Professor Parker has a law degree from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and a PhD from the University of Wales. He has held academic posts at University College Cardiff, Australian National University and Griffith University.
"The clinical program for law students at Monash is internationally renowned - I had heard of it before I came to Australia 11 years ago. The program, where students spend time at the Monash Oakleigh or Springvale Legal Service, is quite innovative," he said.
Professor Parker believes the main issues confronting him as dean of the Law faculty are catering to the demands of overseas students, particularly at the postgraduate level, and adjusting to the new pressures of gaining research grants.
"I think today's law schools need to supplement traditional forms of legal research with longer term programs of research, perhaps through specific research centres, and to carry out more empirical, socio-legal research."
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