Professor Lee Godden

Phone: +61 3 834 41109

Room: 0837

Overview Publications Research Activities

Professor Lee Godden (PhD, MA, B.Leg S, BA Hons) is the Director, Centre for Resources, Energy and Environmental Law. She researches in environmental law, natural resources law, water law, and indigenous people’s land rights. Currently, she has several research projects focused on environmental law and governance. Recent publications include Environmental Law: Scientific, Policy and Regulatory Dimensions (with J. Peel), Comparative Perspectives on Communal Lands and Individual Ownership: Sustainable Futures (with M. Tehan) and Australian Climate Law in Global Context (forthcoming with A. Zahar and J. Peel).

Professor Godden’s research interests include environmental law, natural resources law (especially water) property law and indigenous peoples’ land rights. The impact of her work extends beyond Australia with comparative research on environmental law and sustainability, property law and resource trading regimes, water law resources and Indigenous land rights issues, in countries as diverse as Canada, New Zealand, UK, South Africa, and the Pacific.

Engagement with the theoretical and the grounded aspects of law is a hallmark of her scholarship distinguished by an interdisciplinary approach. She maintains a focus on legal theory, drawing on her background in law and geography. Her work has appeared in leading International journals, as well as leading Australian law journals. Professor Godden has been awarded ARC Discovery Project and Linkage Project funding, as well as grants from bodies, such as the AIATSIS.

Professor Godden teaches environmental law, water law and climate law (Melbourne Law Masters program). Previously, she has taught property law, legal theory, and Master of Environment subjects. She regularly supervises research higher degree students.

She has a longstanding record in community knowledge transfer; a recipient with other project members of a 2007 Vice Chancellor’s knowledge transfer award. Her contribution to environmental conservation and social justice has been recognised by invited membership of leading international and national environmental, and natural resource organisations. Her work continues with engagement in public interest issues such as the impact of climate change on environmental law and water law and economic development for indigenous communities.

Areas of Expertise:

(Research Expertise)