Jane McAdam

Professor Jane McAdam is on Justinian's couch ... Shedding light on her job as director of the Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law ... What's a nice lass from the north shore doing mixed up in refugee policy and the human displacement consequences of climate change? 

McAdam: eater of raw carrotsProfessor Jane McAdam is the director of the newly created Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at the University of New South Wales. 

The aim is to inject a bit of rigour into the refugee debate and to connect academics, policymakers and NGOs. 

Just so you don't think she an underachiever with one job, Prof McAdam is also Scientia Professor of Law and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at the UNSW, a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC and a research associate at the University of Oxford's Refugee Studies Centre. 

Her most recent book is Climate Change, Forced Migration and International Law. She is the co-rapporteur of the International Law Association's committee on international law and sea-level rise. 

From Wenona, to Uni of Sydney (1st class in law and history and a major in German), associate to a Federal Court judge, then Oxford. 

There's more bio here ... 

It's been a long trek and it hasn't stopped yet. 

Justinian managed to squeeze a few questions into Jane McAdam's hectic global schedule ... 

Describe yourself in three words.

Full of contradictions.

What are you currently reading? 

A PhD thesis; several books on relocation in the Pacific; and "168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think" (I'm still trying to find the time to read it).

What's your favourite film?

Love Actually. 

Who has been the most influential person in your life? 

My parents.

What is your favourite piece of music?

Depending on my mood, anything from Handel's "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" to Men at Work's "Down Under". 

What is in your refrigerator? 

A lot of raw carrots, Pink Lady apples and Chobani yoghurt.

What is your favourite website?

Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law - Fishpond does quite well, too. 

What do you recommend as a hangover cure?

Earplugs.

Do you always have a pen and paper on the bedside table? 

No, but I do have my iPad.

How did you wind-up being an academic lawyer?  

From the age of five I wanted to teach (as my younger sister knows only too well - she was my student!), and over time I discovered a natural affinity for research and writing.  I thought I was destined to become a historian, but discovered international law just before I was ready to throw in the towel on my law degree, and I never looked back.  Plus I was hopeless at problem questions in law exams, which didn't bode well for legal practice.

The University of NSW, the Brookings Institution in Washington and Oxford - how do you manage to spread your work? 

With great difficulty. But, I think I have the best job in the world, with enormous variety, opportunities, creativity and wonderful colleagues who help to inspire and challenge me.  

What will be the focus of the Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law?  

To bring a principled, human rights-based approach to the issue of refugee law and policy in Australia. Through high-quality research and public outreach, it aims to create an important bridge between scholarship and practice, and provide an independent space to connect academics, policymakers and NGOs.   

Do you think a fair and balanced refugee policy for Australia is possible, or are our politicians beyond redemption?

Eventually, yes. I think one day Australians will look back and wonder how we did what we did, much as we have done with the Stolen Generations, White Australia Policy, forced adoptions, etc.

What aspect of your life gives you the most pleasure? 

Spending time with my niece and nephews.

What's your most glamorous feature?

The perception - all the international travel. The reality - it's economy class.

If you were a foodstuff, what would you be?

Coffee - best first thing in the morning. 

What human quality do you most distrust?

Complacency.

Whom or what do you consider overrated?

The Sydney restaurant scene.

What would your epitaph say?

"But I haven't finished yet." 

What comes into your mind when you shut your eyes and think of the word "law"? 

Room for improvement.