"Diversity is the hallmark of an outstanding university experience."

Deakin Law School (DLS) Associate Professor Cindy Davids is embarking on an important research project focusing on bribery and corruption.

Her prime motivation is to examine what small to medium sized companies do in relation to facilitation payments in a number of African countries.

The research has already been deemed as being of great value to the Australian Government, which is contemplating a ban on facilitation payments, but currently has little knowledge about the actual, incidence, circumstance, size and scope of these practices.

The project will be conducted with in-kind assistance from the Australian African Mining and Energy Group (AAMEG).

‘This is not common in law research, but I love it. I feel it is extremely important to develop collaborative projects and have an influence on public policy, however humble my particular contribution might be,' she says.

Assoc. Prof. Davids has built a lengthy and interesting career in academia, showcasing an impressive body of research in the area of criminal law.

Working at DLS since 2010, she has been able to develop her interests in policing issues and has collaborated with a number of Australian Government police and public sector agencies.

In the past, while working with Victoria Police, she also examined 10 years of internal investigation files around mapping issues of conflict of interest in policing. This led to a project with the Victorian Ombudsman’s Office examining the way in which conflict of interest complaints played out in the Victorian public sector, resulting in a report to Parliament with a number of recommendations.

She also spent time in the Solomon Islands working collaboratively with the Australian Federal Police looking at issues of ethical policing in the Pacific in countries with a recent history of internal conflict and tension.

Assoc. Prof Davids' current role as Director of International at DLS, means she works on the promotion of diversity and global awareness as an important aspect of a law degree.

‘Diversity is the hallmark of an outstanding university experience in an age where the global economy requires an international outlook unconstrained by domestic borders,’ she says.

‘Students can benefit enormously from incorporating an international study experience into their degree.’

One of the highlights of her 25 years as a university educator was the DLS USA Criminal Justice Study Program, conducted earlier this year. Participants agreed it was a valuable learning enhancement that exceeded their expectations.

She hopes that new courses, such as the Master of Laws program (due to commence in Trimester 2) will continue to add to the diversity of the current law school cohort.