About

The School offers undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in the UQ Summer & Winter Research Scholarship Programs over the summer and winter vacation periods. 

This experience provides students with the opportunity to work with a researcher in a formal research environment so that they may experience the research process and discover what research is being undertaken in their field of interest at the School.

Please note that no course credit is offered in the summer and winter research programs.

How to apply

Read the detailed information guide on how to apply for a research program. 
Applications for the Summer Research Program will open on 18 September, 2023 and close 22 October.  

Summer research program

AI law and practice survey

Hours of engagement and delivery mode

Duration of the project: 
Hours of engagement: 20 hours
The project can be completed on-site or remotely.

DescriptionThis project involves mapping and analysing existing legislation and case law, and proposed legislation affecting the use of artificial intelligence in Australia and overseas jurisdictions including the EU, Canada, and the US. The project will also consider public international law developments. Students will be required to analyse technical and organisational AI risk controls, linking them to these legal requirements.
Expected outcomes and deliverables

Students will have the opportunity to:

  • develop a deep understanding of laws affecting the use of autonomous systems
  • gain a foundational understanding of machine learning and use cases for such systems
  • learn about the interactions between international human rights law, domestic law and artificial intelligence
  • develop practical knowledge of risk management approaches used in industry by AI actors.
Suitable for 

This project would suit any students with an interest in law concerning AI, or law and emerging technology in general. A technical background is not needed but would be an advantage. Students who have completed Law and Technology (LAWS5151) are encouraged to apply.

Primary supervisorDr Samuel Hartridge
Further informationFor more information, please contact Dr Samuel Hartridge at s.hartridge@uq.edu.au.
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Comparative Federalism and Multilevel Governance

Hours of engagement and delivery mode

Duration of the project: 6 weeks
Hours of engagement: between 20 and 35 hours per week
The project can be completed by hybrid arrangement: on-site and remote.

DescriptionThis project will undertake a selected comparison of the constitutional arrangements of several federal countries. The countries to be compared will depend partly on any particular language and background knowledge that the selected student can bring to the project. Possible countries include: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland.
Expected outcomes and deliverables

Students will develop skills in data collection, legal analysis and theorisation in the general field of comparative constitutional law, with particular attention to issues in federalism. The research will contribute to the development of publications in the field. Publication with the student is possible, but this will depend on the results of the research. The training provided to the student will enable them to understand the methods and standards required for publishable research and RHD study. Benefits to the school will include training of the student in advanced research methods and contribution to publications in the highest quality law journals in the field.

Suitable for 

The research project is suitable for students who have successfully completed Constitutional Law and have relevant experience and language skills (eg, personal knowledge of a particular federal country or fluency in its language). Students who have studied politics or government, especially comparative government, will be especially suited to the project, but this is not essential.

Primary supervisorProfessor Nicholas Aroney
Further informationStudents are welcome to contact Professor Aroney at n.aroney@uq.edu.au if they have any particular questions.
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Constitutional implications of having a Federal Human Rights Tribunal

Hours of engagement and delivery mode

Duration of the project: 6 Weeks
Hours of engagement: Must be between 20 - 36 hours per week. 
Students can work remotely with regular check-ins between the student and the supervisor

Description

The AHRC has recently called for increased powers to hear and determine human rights complaints (Free and Equal Position Paper, ‘A Human Rights Act for Australia’, 2022). We are seeking a summer scholar to write a briefing paper on the constitutional implications of this proposal.

After the decision in Brandy v HREOC (1995), the power to hear and decide discrimination and human rights complaints was taken away from the Australian Human Rights Commission (then HREOC).

This leads us to ask, what are the constitutional impediments to the AHRC determining discrimination and human rights claims?

Specific research questions for this project are:

  1. What is the difference between merits review and judicial review?
  2. What has the High Court said about human rights review – is it a form of merits review or judicial review, or is it sui generis?
  3. What are the relevant implications of the Brandy decision? (identify all relevant secondary sources)
Expected outcomes and deliverables

This project provides a student who is interested in Constitutional Law or Administrative Law to research some of the real-world implications of notions like ‘judicial power’ and ‘merits review’.

They will undertake legal writing under supervision, so this project is ideal for a student who wishes to master their skills in written expression.

The student also has the opportunity to become involved in a large ARC funded study with a range of staff, including a PhD student, a post-doc and two academics from different law schools (UQ and Monash).

This project would suit a student who is considering a career in research, or policy.

Suitable for 

This project is open to students with:

  • Excellent legal research skills
  • Excellent writing skills
  • An interest in constitutional law (and administrative law)
  • High academic achievement, particularly in constitutional law or administrative law
Primary supervisorProfessor Tamara Walsh (UQ Law) (with Associate Professor Dominique Allen, Monash University)
Further informationFor more information, please contact Tamara Walsh: t.walsh@uq.edu.au
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Federalism and Constitutionalism: A Symbiosis?

Hours of engagement and delivery mode

Duration of the project: 6 weeks
Hours of engagement: 20 hours per week
The project can be completed by hybrid arrangement: on-site and remote.

Description

Federalism and constitutionalism, though frequently treated as distinct concepts, maintain a connection that merits deeper analysis. Although federal systems depend on rigidly written constitutions for their operation, the more profound correlation between federalism and constitutionalism remains largely uncharted. If a more intricate and symbiotic relationship between these notions exists, the potential arises for societies to create constitutional frameworks that better consider the dynamics of, and issues arising from, federalism.

This research is part of a broader project that aims to investigate the theoretical underpinnings of federalism and constitutionalism, refine their concepts, and assess whether a symbiosis between the two might lead to practical approaches to constitution-making. The student will mostly undertake research across scholarly works in the field of federalism and constitutional theory.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

Students will gain a good understanding of two vital concepts in public law, and acquire advanced abilities in comprehensive legal research, rigorous qualitative analysis, and the production of research outcomes. The student’s contribution will feed directly to the production of peer-reviewed journal articles, and the creation of a scholarly book.

Suitable for 

The project is suitable for students who have completed at least the first year of their program. The student should demonstrate an interest in public and constitutional law. Sympathy for more theoretical, historical, and philosophical aspects of constitutional law is desirable, but not essential.

Primary supervisorRenato S M Costa
Further informationPlease contact r.costa@uq.edu.au with any questions. Applications should include a CV and brief (less than 1 page) cover letter demonstrating the student’s interests in the project.
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Human Rights of Soldiers in the Practice of UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies

Hours of engagement and delivery mode

Duration of the project: 6 weeks, 8 January to 16 February 2024.
Hours of engagement: 20hrs per week
The project can be completed on-site or remotely.

DescriptionThis project examines the human rights protection of members of national armed forces. Specifically, the project considers how UN human rights treaty bodies (HRC, CERD, CAT and CEDAW) have dealt with complaints or communications originating from service members. The aim is to understand what types of human rights breaches service members complain of and how the treaty bodies factor the unique nature of military service into assessing the lawfulness of interferences in their rights.
Expected outcomes and deliverables

The student will gain practical skills in legal research and case analysis. They will gain an in-depth understanding of the operation of UN treaty bodies and limitations placed on human rights on national security grounds.

Suitable for This project is suitable for students who have completed, or who are currently enrolled in, Public International Law (LAWS3705 or equivalent). Completion of, or current enrolment in, Human Rights Law (LAWS5124 or equivalent) is an advantage.
Primary supervisorProfessor Rain Liivoja
Further informationPlease contact Professor Liivoja at r.liivoja@uq.edu.au with any further questions.
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mRNA Technology Patent Litigation and Global Public Health

Hours of engagement and delivery mode

Duration of the project: 6 weeks
Hours of engagement: Between 20 and 35 hours per week.
The project can be completed by hybrid arrangement: on-site and remote.

Description

The success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has ignited substantial global interest in the development of mRNA-based vaccines targeting other infectious diseases (and potentially therapeutics). Moreover, the mRNA technology has also sparked a set of patent lawsuits in key jurisdictions over the rightful ownership of its foundational components.

This project aims to present an overview of the ongoing patent litigations surrounding mRNA technology and to explore the potential implications of this burgeoning new arena for licensing disputes on global public health.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

Students will gain practical skills in legal research and case analysis. They will also gain a good understanding of how the proliferation of patent infringement actions relating to mRNA vaccines may impact on public health.

The research output is expected to be a list of cases, case summaries, and an analysis of the possible implications of these cases on fair and equitable access to mRNA-based vaccines.

Suitable for 

This project is suitable for students in the second year of law or beyond. A background or demonstrated interest in intellectual property law is helpful, but not required.

Students also do not need to have a background in biotechnology or a related scientific field. The project will only focus on the key legal and normative principles of patent law in contest in the lawsuits.

Primary supervisorDr Adekola Tolulope
Further informationStudents with any further questions about this project should contact Tolulope at t.adekola@uq.edu.au.
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Transnational Organised Cybercrime

Hours of engagement and delivery mode

Duration of the project: 6 weeks, 8 January to 16 February 2024.
Hours of engagement: 20hrs per week
The project can be completed partly on-site and partly under a remote working arrangement.

DescriptionThis project broadly explores the synergies between organised crime and cybercrime. This includes specific crime types, the means and methods of online and computer-based offending, the involvement of organised criminal groups, international frameworks and national laws, as well as law enforcement methods, prosecution, and prevention of transnational organised cybercrime.
Several research themes explore and explain basic terms and concepts concerning transnational organised cybercrime, their sources and variations in international and national laws, and the evolution of these concepts, of countermeasures, and the literature. Other themes look at the use of computer-based (or cyber-) crime as a means to facilitate offences commonly committed by or associated with organised criminal groups or look specifically at online fraud and scams. Relevant international frameworks and national offences relating to transnational organised cybercrime are explored in further projects. Various countermeasures to detect transnational organised cybercrime, prosecute offenders, and prevent offending and victimisation will also be examined.
Expected outcomes and deliverables

Students will acquire enhanced research skills and gain some familiarity with the research topic, relevant sources and have some interaction with experts and stakeholders.

The main task of the research student will be to collect, store, and organise a great range of primary and secondary sources, set up and maintain an online directory and communication platform, and liaise with other researchers and stakeholders involved in this project.

Suitable for 

Applicants must have completed LAWS2700 or LAWS2708 (Criminal Law) with an overall grade of 6 or higher. Applicants must have advanced MS Word and MS Excel skills.

It is desirable if applicants have some grasp of a foreign language, especially Italian, French, or German. It is desirable if applicants are interested in undertaking LAWS5231 the Transnational Organised Crime Working Group in Semester 1, 2024.

Primary supervisorAndreas Schloenhardt
Further informationPrior to submitting an application, please email a.schloenhardt@uq.edu.au for further information about this project.
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