Rate Professor Alysia Blackham

Professional Summary: Professor Alysia Blackham

Professor Alysia Blackham is a distinguished academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on law, particularly in the areas of employment law, equality law, and age discrimination. Her work bridges legal scholarship with empirical research, contributing significantly to policy debates and academic discourse on workplace rights and discrimination.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Blackham holds advanced degrees in law, reflecting her deep expertise in the field. Her academic qualifications include:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law, University of Cambridge, UK
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours, University of Melbourne, Australia
• Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Melbourne, Australia

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Blackham’s research primarily focuses on:

• Employment law and workplace regulation
• Equality law and anti-discrimination frameworks
• Age discrimination in employment and retirement policies
• Judicial diversity and institutional responses to inequality

Her interdisciplinary approach often integrates empirical methods to analyze the effectiveness of legal frameworks in addressing systemic discrimination and inequality.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Blackham has held several notable academic positions, reflecting her growing influence in the field of law:

• Associate Professor, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne (current)
• Senior Lecturer, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne
• Lecturer, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Law, Australia
• Turpin-Lipstein Fellow and College Lecturer in Law, Clare College, University of Cambridge, UK

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Blackham has been recognized for her contributions to legal scholarship and research through prestigious awards and fellowships, including:

• ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), Australian Research Council (2019–2022), for her project on age discrimination in employment
• Turpin-Lipstein Fellowship, Clare College, University of Cambridge

Key Publications

Professor Blackham has authored numerous influential works in the field of employment and equality law. Some of her key publications include:

• Extending Working Life for Older Workers: Age Discrimination Law, Policy and Practice (Hart Publishing, 2016)
• “Reforming Age Discrimination Law: Beyond Individual Enforcement” (Oxford University Press, 2022)
• “Judicial Diversity in Australia: Towards Data and Transparency” in Australian Feminist Law Journal (2020)
• “Addressing Age Discrimination in Employment: A Report on Legal and Policy Frameworks” (University of Melbourne Research Report, 2021)

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Blackham’s research has had a profound impact on the study of age discrimination and employment law, particularly in shaping policy discussions in Australia and beyond. Her work on extending working life for older workers has informed legislative and organizational approaches to combating ageism. Additionally, her empirical studies on judicial diversity have contributed to broader conversations about systemic inequality within legal institutions.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Blackham is actively engaged in the academic community through public lectures, editorial roles, and committee memberships:

• Regular speaker at international conferences on employment law and equality, including events hosted by the International Labour Organization (ILO)
• Member of editorial boards for prominent legal journals, including the Australian Journal of Labour Law
• Contributor to policy submissions and consultations on age discrimination and workplace equality in Australia