"Our initiatives will benefit staff at both schools and the University community more broadly."

This month, Deakin Law School (DLS) hosted the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) for a morning tea of introductions and collaborative discussions.

The idea for the event was initially sparked due to an interest in developing joint programs between the two schools. Proposed joint programs include international relations and law, politics and law, criminology and law, and humanitarian assistance and law – which are all likely to result in master's level degrees to be launched in 2017.

The two schools are also collaborating to develop a research seminar series with the United Nations Association of Australia, with the first of the seminars scheduled at end of August.

Dean of Law, Professor Sandeep Gopalan, says the morning tea was a great opportunity for staff across the schools to get to know each other, while also exchanging ideas on research projects, approaches to joint teaching, and new units of interest to both schools.

'It was fantastic to see that colleagues from across the University took advantage of this great opportunity, to exchange views on topics including legal theory and jurisprudence, the United Nations and international organisations, and indigenous rights. 

'We look forward to developing exciting curricular offerings and impactful research in collaboration with SHSS. These initiatives will benefit staff at both schools and the University community more broadly.'