Rate Professor Kristen Rundle

Professional Summary: Professor Kristen Rundle

Professor Kristen Rundle is a distinguished legal scholar at the University of Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on legal theory, administrative law, and the intersection of law and morality. Her academic career is marked by a commitment to exploring the conceptual and practical dimensions of law, particularly in relation to authority, obligation, and the rule of law. Below is a detailed overview of her academic journey, contributions, and impact.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Rundle holds advanced degrees in law and legal theory, reflecting her deep engagement with both theoretical and applied aspects of the discipline. Her academic qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours, University of Sydney
• Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Sydney
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Legal Theory, University of Toronto, Canada

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Rundle’s research is centered on legal philosophy, with a particular emphasis on the moral and conceptual foundations of law. Her key areas of interest include:

• Legal theory and jurisprudence, especially the works of Lon L. Fuller and the concept of the rule of law
• Administrative law and the role of discretion in legal decision-making
• The relationship between law and morality, particularly in contexts of authority and obligation
• Post-conflict legal reconstruction and transitional justice

Career History and Appointments

Professor Rundle has held several prestigious academic positions, contributing to legal scholarship and education across multiple institutions. Her career trajectory includes:

• Professor of Law, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Law School (current position)
• Co-Director, Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies, University of Melbourne
• Former Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Faculty of Law
• Research Fellow at the London School of Economics (LSE), Department of Law

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Rundle’s contributions to legal scholarship have been recognized through various honors and fellowships, including:

• Harold Luntz Graduate Research Thesis Prize for her doctoral work at the University of Toronto
• Fellowships and visiting scholar positions at leading international institutions, reflecting her global academic standing

Key Publications

Professor Rundle has authored numerous influential works in legal theory and administrative law. Some of her notable publications include:

• Forms Liberate: Reclaiming the Jurisprudence of Lon L. Fuller (Hart Publishing, 2012) – A seminal book exploring Fuller’s legal philosophy and its relevance to contemporary jurisprudence
• Articles in leading journals such as Law and Philosophy, Modern Law Review, and University of Toronto Law Journal, addressing themes of legality, authority, and administrative discretion
• Contributions to edited collections on legal theory and the rule of law

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Rundle’s work has significantly shaped contemporary understandings of legal theory, particularly through her reinterpretation of Lon L. Fuller’s jurisprudence. Her book, Forms Liberate, is widely regarded as a critical contribution to debates on the rule of law and the moral dimensions of legal systems. Her research on administrative law has also influenced discussions on the ethical responsibilities of legal officials in discretionary decision-making. As a mentor and educator at the University of Melbourne, she has inspired a new generation of legal scholars to engage with the philosophical underpinnings of law.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Rundle is an active participant in the global academic community, contributing through public lectures, editorial roles, and committee memberships. Her engagements include:

• Delivery of keynote addresses and invited lectures on legal theory and the rule of law at international conferences
• Editorial contributions to academic journals and book series in the field of jurisprudence
• Leadership roles within the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies at the University of Melbourne, fostering interdisciplinary research on constitutional and legal issues