Legal expert joins Wildlife and Environmental Crime Research Hub

Claire Williams is the first postdoctoral appointment at the University of Adelaide’s Wildlife and Environmental Crime Research Hub, funded by the Australian Research Council.

In a significant stride towards fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the Australian Research Council (ARC) has allocated $27 million in funding for eight prestigious Industry Laureate Fellowships, to facilitate cross-sector partnerships among government bodies, industry stakeholders, and scientific researchers.

Professor Phill Cassey from the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology in the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, secured $3.8M of funding to launch the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Research Hub at the University of Adelaide, which he will lead.

Claire Williams' appointment marks an exciting progression for the research program. Her expertise connects law and science, uniquely positioning her to contribute significantly to advancing legal and political research initiatives within the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Research Hub.

“I’m excited to join the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Research Hub. My research examines the intersection of science and law, with a particular focus on understanding the shortcomings of current legal frameworks in addressing environmental crises. My goal is to advocate for the development of novel legal mechanisms that protect natural resources more effectively.”Claire Williams

Claire's position is jointly funded by the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Research Hub and the Adelaide Law School, and she will be splitting her research time between the faculties of Sciences, Engineering and Technology (SET) and Arts, Business, Law and Economics (ABLE), alongside teaching in the law undergraduate program.