About

As a Reader and the Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, my academic journey has taken me through a diverse array of prestigious roles and institutions. My career has included positions such as Teaching Fellow, Associate Professor, Director of Internationalisation, and Dean, spanning across respected universities worldwide — including the University of Auckland, McGill University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Warwick, and UCL. My experience has been enriched by the cultural diversity and legal traditions of six universities across five global regions.

My tenure in various jurisdictions has profoundly deepened my understanding of the law, both as a regulatory framework and a socio-legal phenomenon. Each academic engagement has offered unique perspectives on societal norms and legal education. For example, the approach to indigenous rights at the University of Auckland, with its focus on Maori engagement, differs markedly from McGill University’s emphasis on First Nations’ treaty interpretation and rights enforcement. Similarly, the practice of anti-discrimination law varies significantly in multicultural Canada, the sectarian context of Northern Ireland, and the relatively homogeneous society of Barbados.

At the core of these diverse legal conceptions lies a rich tapestry of normative debates — what constitutes ‘right and wrong’ or ‘lawful and unlawful.’ Drawing these distinctions is complex; lawyers and academics play a pivotal role at every stage, using their legal expertise to shape societal goals into tangible regulations and evaluating the ramifications of such changes. As societal values evolve, so too must our legal frameworks and educational approaches.

In an era characterized by rapid change, adaptability is paramount for legal scholars. Our mission extends beyond understanding current legal principles; we must anticipate and shape the future of both the law and its instruction. At XJTLU, I am inspired by my colleagues and students, whose insightful challenges invigorate my thinking and disrupt my intellectual comfort zones. In turn, I am dedicated to fostering a similar environment of academic engagement, ensuring a dynamic and thought-provoking learning experience for all.