- Posted on 13 Oct 2026
- 2-minute read
UTS is delighted to welcome Professor Catherine Kelly as our new Dean of the Faculty of Law.
Professor Kelly is an accomplished academic leader whose distinguished career spans legal practice, higher education and public policy. She is currently Head of the Law School at University of Bristol, where she has played a pivotal role in advancing the Law School’s educational offerings, including leading a significant program of curriculum enhancement to prepare students for the evolving legal profession. Her research explores the interaction between law, science and medicine in both historical and contemporary contexts.
UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Parfitt said Professor Kelly’s extensive experience in academic leadership and her commitment to driving student success in a rapidly changing world made her well positioned to lead the Faculty of Law and build on its strong reputation for research excellence, engagement and researcher development.
“Professor Kelly brings a wealth of experience across legal practice, higher education and public policy, together with a strong record of research and a commitment to innovation and social justice,” Professor Parfitt said.
“At UTS, we see the law as something that has a direct and lasting impact on people and communities. Our strengths lie in connecting research and education with real-world challenges facing society, and in working with our partners to help address those challenges. Professor Kelly shares this commitment to using legal education and research to make a difference, and I look forward to working closely with her.”
Professor Kelly said it was a privilege to be returning to Australia to lead a law faculty with such a clear sense of purpose.
“I'm delighted to be joining UTS, whose Faculty of Law has a leading reputation for legal education grounded in practice, and for research that engages directly with the challenges facing communities.
“That combination matters more than ever as technology reshapes both the profession and the questions the law must address. I'm very much looking forward to working with colleagues, students and partners to collectively shape an exciting future for Law and the TD School.”
Before joining the University of Bristol where she is now Professor of Law and History, Professor Kelly was Associate Professor (Law and Society) at the University of Western Australia and Senior Policy Adviser at the Australian Medical Association. She began her career as a solicitor in Sydney with Freehill, Hollingale & Page. She has received a number of prestigious funding awards, including from the Wellcome Trust, the British Academy, the Australian Research Council, and the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute. She has also held fellowships at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, the National Library of Australia, and The Queen’s College, Oxford.
Our strengths lie in connecting research and education with real-world challenges facing society, and in working with our partners to help address those challenges.
Professor Kelly holds a Doctor of Philosophy in the History of Medicine and a Master of Science in History of Medicine, Science and Technology from the University of Oxford, as well as a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.
Professor Isabella Alexander concludes her time in the role of Interim Dean until Professor Kelly’s commencement.
Professor Parfitt thanked Professor Alexander for her leadership as Interim Dean over the past several months.
“Isabella has long been a valued member of the Faculty of Law, and we are extremely grateful for her leadership as a member of the University Leadership Team”, Professor Parfitt said.
Professor Kelly will commence in the role on 3 May 2027.