Overview
Background
Associate Professor Rebecca Ananian-Welsh is a constitutional law scholar and Editor of the University of Queensland Law Journal at the TC Beirne School of Law. Her research focuses on courts, national security and press freedom and she has published widely in these fields, including more than 25 journal articles, two edited collections and a monograph. Her present research focuses on the nature of courts under the Constitution, and the protection of press freedom.
Rebecca's research in national security, press freedom and fair trial principles has been recognised in an Academy of Social Sciences in Australia’s Paul Bourke Award for Early Career Research and a UQ BEL Faculty award. Her book 'The Tim Carmody Affair: Australia's Greatest Judicial Crisis' (co-authored with Profs Gabrielle Appleby and Andrew Lynch), was shortlisted for a Queensland Literary Award and her Sydney Law Review article 'The Inherent Jurisdiction of Courts and the Fair Trial' has been shortlisted for the 2020 Article of the Year in the Australian Legal Research Awards.
Prior to joining UQ, Rebecca held positions at UNSW Law with the Laureate Fellowship Project 'Anti-Terror Laws and the Democratic Challenge' and the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law's Terrorism & Law Project, as a litigation solicitor at DLA Piper, and as a legal officer with the Federal Attorney-General's Department.
Availability
- Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Wollongong
- Bachelor (Honours) of Law, University of Wollongong
- Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Wollongong
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales
Research interests
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National Security Law and Policy
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Courts and judges
The judicial branch, fair trial rights, open justice, and the interpretation and application of Chapter III of the Australian Constitution
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Press freedom
Particular focuses on the impact of counter-terrorism and national security law on press freedom, including: source protection, data privacy, the 'chilling effect', law enforcement and intelligence powers, and options for maximising both security and democracy.
Research impacts
Rebecca contributes to the development of constitutional law, institutional integrity and academia through involvement in numerous committees. Her present positions include:
- Council of the Australian Association of Constitutional Law;
- Australian Judicial Officers Association Inaugural Standing Committee on Judicial Independence;
- Centre for Public Integrity, Accountability Institutions Committee; and
- The inaugural Executive Committee of the SHAPE Futures Network (a joint initiative of the Australian Academies of the Humanities and Social Sciences to support early and mid-career researchers).
Rebecca writes regularly for The Conversation, has given evidence to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, Australian Law Reform Commission and other federal and state inquiries, and has contributed to numerous submissions to government with respect to national security and constitutional issues.
Works
Search Professor Rebecca Ananian-Welsh’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Conference Publication
The most pressing issues facing Australian early and mid-career academics in the Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts and how to solve them
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca, Midford, Sarah, Barnett, Tully and Stannard, Georgia (2022). The most pressing issues facing Australian early and mid-career academics in the Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts and how to solve them. Congress of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 25 November-2 December 2022.
2022
Other Outputs
Journalists must be protected in police investigations. Here’s our five point plan for reform
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca and Bosland, Jason (2022, 10 28). Journalists must be protected in police investigations. Here’s our five point plan for reform The Conversation
2022
Journal Article
Who is a journalist? A critical analysis of Australian statutory definitions
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca (2022). Who is a journalist? A critical analysis of Australian statutory definitions. Federal Law Review, 50 (4), 449-478. doi: 10.1177/0067205x221126583
2022
Conference Publication
Minister for Home Affairs v Benbrika [2021] HCA 4
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca (2022). Minister for Home Affairs v Benbrika [2021] HCA 4. Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law Annual Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 11 February 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Crimes of communication: the implications of Australian espionage law for global media
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca and Kendall, Sarah (2022). Crimes of communication: the implications of Australian espionage law for global media. Communication Law and Policy, 27 (1), 1-27. doi: 10.1080/10811680.2021.2014293
2021
Journal Article
In the public interest: protections and risks in whistleblowing to the media
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca, Cronin, Rose and Greste, Peter (2021). In the public interest: protections and risks in whistleblowing to the media. University of New South Wales Law Journal, 44 (4), 1242-1280. doi: 10.53637/WMZR2175
2021
Other Outputs
Before 9/11, Australia had no counter-terrorism laws, now we have 92 — but are we safer?
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca and Hardy, Keiran (2021, 09 09). Before 9/11, Australia had no counter-terrorism laws, now we have 92 — but are we safer? The Conversation
2021
Other Outputs
Open democracy dossier: secrecy and power in Australia’s national security state
Hardy, Keiran , Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca and McGarrity, Nicola (2021). Open democracy dossier: secrecy and power in Australia’s national security state. Sydney, Australia: GetUp!.
2021
Book Chapter
Journalism on Ice - National Security Laws and The Chilling Effect in Australian Journalism
Murray, Richard, Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca and Greste, Peter (2021). Journalism on Ice - National Security Laws and The Chilling Effect in Australian Journalism. Counter-Terrorism Laws and Freedom of Expression: Global Perspectives. (pp. 295-317) edited by Workneh, Tewodros and Haridakis, Paul. Lanham, MD United States: Lexington Books.
2021
Conference Publication
Journalism on Ice: National Security Laws and the Chilling Effect in Australian Journalism
Murray, Richard, Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca and Greste, Peter (2021). Journalism on Ice: National Security Laws and the Chilling Effect in Australian Journalism. International Communication Association Conference: Engaging the Essential Work of Care: Communication, Connectedness, and Social Justice, Denver, CO United States, 27-31 May 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Risk and uncertainty in public interest journalism: the impact of espionage law on press freedom
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca, Kendall, Sarah and Murray, Richard (2021). Risk and uncertainty in public interest journalism: the impact of espionage law on press freedom. Melbourne University Law Review, 44 (3), 764-811.
2021
Conference Publication
Careers in academia
Breitwieser-Faria, Yvonne, Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca and Lelliot, Joseph (2021). Careers in academia. UQ Legal Researchers Panel, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 26 October 2021.
2020
Other Outputs
Preserve and protect: how far should governments go in restricting people’s freedoms in the name of public health?
Jetten, Jolanda, Birch, Stephen, Gilks, Charles, Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca, Burgh, Gilbert and Thorpe, Karen (2020, 12 15). Preserve and protect: how far should governments go in restricting people’s freedoms in the name of public health? Contact Magazine
2020
Book Chapter
Counter-terrorism and the exclusion of refugees and refugee-citizens from Australia
Billings, Peter and Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca (2020). Counter-terrorism and the exclusion of refugees and refugee-citizens from Australia. Terrorism and asylum. (pp. 175-214) edited by James C. Simeon. Leiden, the Netherlands: Brill Nijhoff. doi: 10.1163/9789004295995_008
2020
Journal Article
Smethurst v Commissioner of Police and the Unlawful Seizure of Journalists’ Private Information
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca (2020). Smethurst v Commissioner of Police and the Unlawful Seizure of Journalists’ Private Information. Media and Arts Law Review, 24 (1), 60-71.
2020
Journal Article
The confidentiality of journalists' sources in police investigations: privacy, privilege and the freedom of political communication
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca and Orange, Joseph (2020). The confidentiality of journalists' sources in police investigations: privacy, privilege and the freedom of political communication. Australian Law Journal, 94, 777-790.
2019
Journal Article
The Inherent Jurisdiction of Courts and the Fair Trial
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca (2019). The Inherent Jurisdiction of Courts and the Fair Trial. Sydney Law Review, 41 (4), 423-454.
2019
Journal Article
Journalistic confidentiality in an age of data surveillance
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca (2019). Journalistic confidentiality in an age of data surveillance. Australian Journalism Review, 41 (2), 225-239. doi: 10.1386/ajr_00008_1
2019
Other Outputs
Australia needs a media freedom act
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca (2019, 10 22). Australia needs a media freedom act The Conversation
2019
Other Outputs
Explainer: what are the media companies’ challenges to the AFP raids about?
Ananian-Welsh, Rebecca (2019, 09 01). Explainer: what are the media companies’ challenges to the AFP raids about? The Conversation
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Constitutional Law
Potential projects may concern:
- Courts, Tribunals and Judges
- Chapter III of the Australian Constitution
- The separation of powers
- Judicial and Non-Judicial Detention and Sanctions
- Jurisdiction
- Procedural fairness and due process
- Implied rights and freedoms
- Constitutional theory and interpretation
For further information contact Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh, e: rebecca.aw@law.uq.edu.au
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National security law
Potential projects may concern:
- Public law and human rights challenges presented by national security law
- The migration, normalisation and impacts of national security laws
For further information contact Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh, e: rebecca.aw@law.uq.edu.au
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Press Freedom
Potential projects may include:
- Legal protections and threats to press freedom, including by national security law and policy
For further information contact Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh, e: rebecca.aw@law.uq.edu.au
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
A Critical Analysis of the Deployment of Indonesian Military Forces in Domestic Counterterrorism Operations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rain Liivoja
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Doctor Philosophy
Responsive Informality in Australian State and Territory Combined-Jurisdiction Tribunals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Cassimatis, Professor Rick Bigwood
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Doctor Philosophy
Informality in State and Territory Combined Jurisdiction Tribunals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Cassimatis, Professor Rick Bigwood
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Master Philosophy
Preventive Justice and Cyber-Surveillance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rebecca Wallis
-
Doctor Philosophy
Immigration Detention & The Separation of Powers: A First Principles Approach to Improved Governance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Billings
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Doctor Philosophy
A National Indigenous Representative Body in Australia: Reception and Rejection of an Enduring Institutional Concept
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dylan Lino, Professor Graeme Orr
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
An Examination and Reconsideration of Fair Collection under the Australian Privacy Act in the Context of Retail Analytics and Big Data
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alan Davidson
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Nature of Constitutions: A Theory of Genuine and Pseudo Constitutions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nicholas Aroney
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh directly for media enquiries about:
- Constitutional Law
- counter-terrorism
- courts
- human rights
- judges
- National Security Law
- Press freedom
- Public Law
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