Rate Professor Caron Beaton-Wells

Professional Summary: Professor Caron Beaton-Wells

Professor Caron Beaton-Wells is a distinguished academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia, recognized for her expertise in competition law and policy. With a career spanning academia, legal practice, and public engagement, she has made significant contributions to the field through her research, teaching, and leadership roles.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Beaton-Wells holds advanced qualifications in law, reflecting her deep commitment to academic excellence:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours, University of Melbourne
• Master of Laws (LLM), University of Melbourne
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Melbourne, focusing on competition law

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research primarily focuses on competition law and policy, with an emphasis on:

• Cartel conduct and criminalization of anti-competitive behavior
• Regulatory frameworks and enforcement in competition law
• Intersection of competition policy with digital markets and innovation

Professor Beaton-Wells is also known for her interdisciplinary approach, exploring the economic, legal, and social dimensions of competition regulation.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Beaton-Wells has held several prestigious positions at the University of Melbourne and beyond:

• Professor of Competition Law, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne
• Director, Competition Law & Economics Network, University of Melbourne
• Associate Dean (Undergraduate), Melbourne Law School (previous role)
• Practicing lawyer prior to full-time academia, with experience in commercial litigation and competition law

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Her contributions to legal scholarship and education have been recognized through various accolades:

• Recipient of teaching excellence awards at the University of Melbourne
• Recognized as a leading expert in competition law by national and international legal bodies

Key Publications

Professor Beaton-Wells has authored and co-authored numerous influential works in the field of competition law:

• Australian Cartel Regulation: Law, Policy and Practice in an International Context (2011, co-authored with Brent Fisse)
• Proof of Antitrust Markets in Australia (2003)
• Various articles in leading journals such as the Antitrust Law Journal and European Competition Journal on topics including cartel criminalization and digital platform regulation

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Beaton-Wells is widely regarded as a leading authority on competition law in Australia and internationally. Her work on cartel regulation has influenced policy debates and legal reforms, particularly in the context of criminal sanctions for anti-competitive conduct. She has also contributed to shaping academic discourse through her leadership in research networks and mentorship of emerging scholars in the field.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

She is actively engaged in the broader academic and legal community:

• Regular speaker at national and international conferences on competition law and policy
• Contributor to public policy discussions through submissions to government inquiries on competition regulation
• Editorial board member and reviewer for prominent legal journals in the field of competition law