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Sydney Law School appoints new dean and head of school
The University of Sydney’s Law School has welcomed back a former professor to the role of dean and head of school.
Lauren Croft
Rejoining the university after spending 11 years at the University of NSW, Professor Fleur Johns has been named the new dean and head of school for the Sydney Law School at the University of Sydney.
Johns brings extensive experience and is a recognised scholar in international law, with contributions in international legal theory, law and technology, and law and development.
She worked as a professor – and then co-director of the Sydney Centre for International Law – at the University of Sydney for 11 years before moving to UNSW, where she held an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship. She was also elected a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia in 2020 and served on its executive board as international secretary from 2022 to 2024.
Johns has also worked as a visiting professor in Europe, the UK, the US, and Canada, as well as a project finance lawyer in the US.
“I was drawn to the prospect of leading Sydney Law School by a combination of affection for this community, respect for its many achievements, and a sense of excitement about prospects for its further strengthening and emboldening,” she said.
“I see opportunities for Sydney Law School to play a significant role in the realisation of the university’s Sydney in 2032 strategy through further nurturing of a culture of collaboration and connectedness within the school. This includes expanding commitments to equity of access and opportunity for both students and staff and pursuing ambitious collective goals.”
Johns also said she aims to foster a community that values all members and equips students and staff to make important contributions across many fields in service of the common good.
“My vision for Sydney Law School is for it to thrive as a diverse community of scholars, educators, and students committed to doing outstanding and meaningful work,” she said.
“I plan to lead by inviting law school staff, students, and alumni to enhance collaboration, inclusivity, and a shared sense of purpose with one another and the university at large.”
Lauren Croft
Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.
