Summer and Winter Research Scholarships

Project duration

4 weeks

Description

A wide variety of autonomous technologies are in use today, including self-driving vehicles, autopilot systems in aircraft, and software that directs machines, or creates reports or outputs that are relied upon by users. The use of such technologies may give rise to civil or criminal proceedings, with implications across numerous areas of law, such as negligence, product liability, personal injury and intellectual property rights.

Although there has been significant interest and academic scholarship on discrete issues relating to autonomy, artificial intelligence (AI) and the law, judicial practice is only gradually emerging. There has not, to date, been an overview of significant cases across various jurisdictions dealing with case law (in both civil and criminal matters) relating to autonomy.

Expected outcome and deliverables

Create a compendium of domestic law cases from different jurisdictions dealing with autonomous systems (of any kind), from a civil and criminal law perspective. The research output is expected to be a list of cases, case summaries, and if relevant, a comparative analysis of how different jurisdictions have approached autonomy in criminal and civil proceedings.

The TRIAL Universal Jurisdiction Database and Annual Report on cases dealing with universal jurisdiction is an example of the kind of product that would be expected at the completion of the Winter Research Project.

The student researcher will gain a good understanding of legal challenges posed by autonomous technologies, will develop practical comparative research skills, and will participate in the work of a legal research group with a high level of engagement with industry and government.

Suitable for:

This project is open to applications from students who will have completed, by the time this project commences, the following courses or their equivalents:

• LAWS1701 and LAWS1702 (Law of Contract),
• LAWS2702 and LAWS2703 (Law of Torts), and
• LAWS2700 and LAWS2701 (Criminal Law).

Primary supervisor

Professor Rain Liivoja.

Further information

Please contact r.liivoja@uq.edu.au with any questions. 

Applications should include a CV, transcript and brief (less than 1 page) cover letter.

Project duration and engagement

The duration of the project will be 4 weeks during Winter Vacation, subject to the time constraints of the student.

Hours of engagement will be between 20-36 hours per week.

COVID-19 considerations: The project can be completed under remote working conditions if required.

Description

This project will analyse the strategic drafting of biotechnology patents, and explore how technical subject matter may be claimed in a variety of different ways. This will entail the development of a methodology for searching, analysing, and classifying biotechnology patents. Understanding the different ways that inventions can be described and claimed is critical for understanding the operation of the patent system and has important practical ramifications.

The scope of this project may be narrowed to focus on specific biotechnological industries or inventions, such as plant varieties or gene patents, depending on preliminary findings and the interests of the student.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

Students will gain practical skills in legal research, data collection and analysis, and conducting patent searches. They will have the opportunity to co-design and manage the project, and to direct it towards their specific research interests.

The intended output of this research is an article, to be submitted for publication in a peer review reviewed journal.

Suitable for:

This project is suitable for students in the second year of law or beyond. A background or demonstrated interest in biotechnology or a related scientific field is helpful, but not required.

Primary supervisor

Hamish MacDonald. If you have any further questions about this project, please contact h.macdonald1@uq.edu.au.

Project duration and engagement

4 weeks, 20 hours per week, flexible on-site/home arrangements can be accommodated.

Description

A number of important rules and principles under the Australian Constitution hinge of the concept of a ‘court’ and related notions like ‘judge’, ‘judicial’ powers, ‘judicial independence and impartiality’ and ‘judicial process’. The meaning of these terms has given rise to many constitutional cases and papers, prompting the question: does a coherent framework emerge/exist by which the nature of courts (judges, judicial powers etc) might be understood? The emergence of such a framework – if that is even possible – could have significant impacts for constitutional law by, for instance, lending clarity to one of the most challenging and dynamic areas of constitutional jurisprudence.

This research forms part of a broader project which aims to explore and understand the nature of courts under the Australian Constitution. The student will undertake research across constitutional case-law and (Australian and overseas) commentary exploring these issues, including from a historical point of view.

Expected outcome and deliverables

Scholars will gain skills in detailed legal analysis, the preparation of memoranda and the presentation of research findings. Mentoring and support will be provided in academic writing and legal career-building. The specific research project will feed directly into the preparation of a major constitutional law textbook, a scholarly book and journal articles.

Suitable for:

This project will be particularly of interest to students with a curious, critical, probing mind who are comfortable working with complex, multifaceted notions and communicating them in a clear, logical and concise manner. It is suitable for students with an interest and flare for public and constitutional law as well as, perhaps, an interest in the theory/philosophy and history of law.

Primary supervisor

Associate Professor Rebecca Ananian-Welsh.

Further information

Rebecca can be contacted at Rebecca.aw@law.uq.edu.au with any questions.

Applications should include a CV, transcript and brief (less than 1 page) cover letter.