Emeritus Professor Jill McKeough AO and Professor Jennifer Burn AM honoured for their work.
Academic leaders and researchers focused on areas such as social inclusion, artificial intelligence, and legal ethics lead the roll call of UTS academics, alumni and community members recognised in the 2023 Australia Day honours list. These include two members of the Faculty of Law.
UTS Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andrew Parfitt, congratulated all members of the UTS community who received awards.
These honours acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding leadership and major contributions to fundamental research achieved by UTS and are testament to the great work that has been done, and continues to be done, on campus and amongst our community.
– Professor Andrew Parfitt
Emeritus Professor Jill McKeough AO
Emeritus Professor Jill McKeough has been recognised for 'distinguished service to intellectual property law, to tertiary education, to law reform, and to professional organisations'.
She was involved at a high level in significant reviews of intellectual property (IP) law through the rise of internet and digital technologies, as well as the advent of applied research into gene technologies.
Without legal protection of ideas, innovations and artistic works, businesses and individuals would not reap the full benefit of their efforts, and our economic and cultural vitality would suffer. Her work has ensured IP is considered as the law changes to reflect the evolution of our world.
“Emeritus Professor McKeough’s period as Dean of the UTS Faculty of Law brought about a major transformation of the faculty to the point where it is now regarded as one of Australia’s leading law schools,” said Professor Parfitt.
“She reshaped the faculty’s teaching and curriculum to address not only legal knowledge but also graduate attributes of integrity, cultural respect, accountability, and public service.”
Professor Jennifer Burn AM
Professor Jennifer Burn has been recognised for 'significant service to the law in the field of anti-slavery and migration'.
Professor Burn has dedicated her legal and academic career to highlighting the prevalence of modern slavery and trying to eliminate it through law reform. She has been influential in the development of Australia’s response to human trafficking and slavery, especially of migrants and children, helping to shape federal and NSW legislative responses.
As founding director of Anti-Slavery Australia in the UTS Faculty of Law, Professor Burn leads a team of researchers, educators and lawyers dedicated to eliminating all forms of human trafficking and slavery through research, direct service and advocacy.
“In both her actions and deeds, Professor Burn has made it clear why modern slavery laws are needed, to protect real people in Australia and around the world,” said Professor Parfitt.
More: See the other five UTS academics and community members who made the 2023 Australia Day honours list.