Alexandra Wawryk

Research Interests

Environmental and Natural Resources Law

APrf Alexandra Wawryk

Senior Lecturer

School of Law

College of Business and Law

Dr Alex Wawryk received First Class degrees in Economics and Law, and a PhD in Law, from the University of Adelaide. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Adelaide Law School in Mining and Energy Law, Environmental Law, Climate Change Law, Aboriginal Peoples and the Law, and Contract Law, and is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia.Alex conducts research into various aspects of energy and natural resources law, including renewable energy law, petroleum regulation and environmental law. Her research into renewable energy and the law has focused on overcoming legal barriers to the development of renewable energy, while her research into mining and petroleum law is focused on environmental regulation of these industries.

Alex's research into renewable energy and the law has focused on overcoming legal barriers to the development of renewable energy. She has examined general instruments to encourage renewable energy in electricity generation in Australia, conducting critical analyses of the States' planning systems in relation to wind energy, including offshore and onshore wind energy, and analysing recent developments in South Australia in relation to the regulation of hydrogen. Alex's early research in the field of petroleum law examined international environmental standards in the international petroleum industry. Following the Macondo well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, she researched the changes to Australian and overseas petroleum regimes which seek to improve environmental protection and regulation, and the development of bilateral and regional principles to harmonize civil liability and compensation regimes for offshore oil pollution. 

Alex has also conducted research into environment protection and mining law in South Australia, including the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage. More recently, she has researched the adequacy of the legal regime in South Australia for restoration projects, focusing on the restoration of tidal flows and oyster reefs.

Alex is currently the Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Research Unit at the Adelaide Law School.

Date Position Institution name
2026 - ongoing Associate Professor University of Adelaide
2006 - 2025 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
2004 - 2005 Lecturer Law School, University of Adelaide
2002 - 2003 Associate Lecturer Law School
1993 - 1994 Research Assistant South Australian Centre for Economic Studies
1992 - 1993 Graduate Economist South Australian Treasury Department
1992 - 1992 Graduate Economist Department of Industry, Trade and Technology
1989 - 1989 Research Assistant Trade Practices Commission
1988 - 1989 Summer Clerk Ernst and Young

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2025 Research Award Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics, Excellence in Interdisciplinary Research Team Award University of Adelaide Australia -
2025 Research Award Adelaide Law School, Interdisciplinary Research Award University of Adelaide Australia -
2023 Research Award Adelaide Law School, Interdisciplinary Research Award University of Adelaide Australia -
2013 Fellowship Barbara Kidman Women’s Fellowship The University of Adelaide - -
2008 Scholarship Baker Scholarship in Law. Law School, University of Adelaide - -
2003 Award Geoffrey Willoughby Prize Energy, Petroleum, Mineral and Natural Resources Law & Policy Education Trust - -
2002 Award Bonython Prize for the Best Orginal Postgraduate Thesis University of Adelaide Law School, - -
1997 Scholarship Australian Postgraduate Award - Australia -

Date Institution name Country Title
1997 - 2000 University of Adelaide Australia Ph.D (Law)
University of Adelaide Australia B.Ec (Hons) First Class
University of Adelaide Australia LLB (Hons) First Class

Date Title Institution name Country
— Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice Law Society of South Australia -

Year Citation
2025 Doherty, M., Wawryk, A., Brent, K., McCormack, P., McIntyre, F., & Jones, A. (2025). Planning law and blue carbon projects in South Australia: The importance of protecting our coastal wetlands. Law Society of South Australia Bulletin, March.
2025 Bell-James, J., McCormack, P., Shumway, N., & Wawryk, A. (2025). Opportunities for Targeted, Small‐scale Law Reform in Marine and Coastal Restoration. Restoration Ecology, 13 pages.
DOI
2024 Wawryk, A., Mcafee, D., Cooper, K., McCormack, P., Castles, M., Drew, G., & Connell, S. (2024). Law and Governance for Oyster Reef Restoration: The South Australian Experience. Environmental and Planning Law Journal, 40(6), 355-369.
DOI
2024 Wawryk, A. (2024). Accelerating the green energy industry: Explaining SA’s Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act. Law Society of South Australia Bulletin.
2024 Fowler, R., McCormack, P., Wawryk, A., Castles, M., & Whenan, E. (2024). The Australian Experience with Environmental Offsets: An Illusory Tool for Addressing Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change?. University of California Law Environmental Journal, 31(1), 29-64.
2023 Wawryk, A. (2023). Mining and the Protection of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in South Australia. The William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review, 47(3).
2023 Soliman Hunter, T., Brent, K., Wawryk, A., Pettit, J., & Camatta, N. (2023). Hydrogen production in Australia from renewable energy: no doubt green and clean, but is it mean?. Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law, 42(4), 1-45.
DOI Scopus4 WoS9
2022 McCormack, P., Jones, A., Wawryk, A., Brent, K., & Wong, V. (2022). The new Australian Blue Carbon Method is a tool for mitigating climate change while restoring coastal ecosystems: a potential win-win. Australian Environment Review, 37(2).
2021 Babie, P., & Wawryk, A. (2021). Climate change, the rule of law, and market-based schemes to encourage renewable energy use. Michigan State International Law Review, 29(3), 363-411.
2019 Wawryk, A., & Soliman-Hunter, T. (2019). Risk and regulation of oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight. Australian Environment Review, 34(6), 110-115.
2018 Wawryk, A. (2018). The Legislative Regime for Environment Assessment and Approval of Offshore Wind Energy Developments in England. Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal, 37(1), 41-63.
2016 Wawryk, A., Burdon, P., & Podgorlec, J. (2016). Siting a Nuclear Waste Storage Facility & Matters of Consent. Law Society of South Australia Bulletin, 38(3), 20-22.
2016 Wawryk, A. (2016). The establishment of a radioactive waste facility in South Australia: the need for free, prior and informed consent. Australian Environment Review, 31(6), 220-225.
2016 Wawryk, A., & Leadbeter, P. (2016). Deepwater drilling off the coast of South Australia: liability for offshore oil and gas pollution. Environmental and Planning Law Journal, 33(6), 555-584.
WoS1
2015 Wawryk, A., & Van Hende, K. (2015). Civil liability for spills from oil rigs: the development of bilateral and regional principles. Lloyd's Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly, 2015(2), 216-244.
2014 Van Hende, K., & Wawryk, A. S. (2014). Gross Negligence under the US Clean Water Act and General Maritime Law: In re: Oil Spill by the Oil Rig “Deepwater Horizon” in the Gulf of Mexico, on April 20, 2010, (MDL 2179) ‘Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law Phase One Trial’, Rec Doc 13,355, --- F Supp 2d --, 2014 WL 4375933 (ED La, 4 September 2014). Australia and New Zealand Maritime Law Journal, 28(2), 122-136.
2014 Wawryk, A. (2014). Australian Federal Election 2013: Implications for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law, 32(1), 81-103.
DOI WoS1
2014 Wawryk, A., & Van Hende, K. (2014). The internationalisation of liability regimes for offshore petroleum exploration and production. Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) Journal, 54, 209-230.
2014 Wawryk, A. (2014). Conservation and access to land for mining in protected areas: the conflict over mining in South Australia's Arkaroola wilderness sanctuary. Journal of Environmental Law, 26(2), 291-317.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5
2013 Wawryk, A. (2013). Recent changes to the Commonwealth offshore petroleum legislation: strengthening environmental liability, compliance and enforcement provisions. MLAANZ Journal, 27(2), 49-68.
2013 Leadbeter, P., & Wawryk, A. (2013). Is the fox still guarding the henhouse? Mining and environmental protection in South Australia. Environmental and Planning Law Journal, 30(1), 3-31.
Scopus2
2013 Leadbeter, P. D., & Wawryk, A. (2013). Is the Fox Still Guarding the Henhouse?.
2012 Wawryk, A. (2012). The Montana oil spill: implications and future challenges for the offshore petroleum regulatory regime. Oil, Gas & Energy Law Intelligence, 10(3), 1-19.
2011 Wawryk, A. (2011). Legislating for offshore wind energy in South Australia. Environmental and Planning Law Journal, 28(4), 265-296.
Scopus1
2005 Wawryk, A., & Bradbrook, A. (2005). Australian initiatives promoting renewable energy resources in electricity generation. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law, 23(2), 188-204.
DOI WoS1
2004 Wawryk, A. (2004). Planning for wind energy: Controversy over wind farms in coastal Victoria. Australasian Journal of Natural Resources Law and Policy, 9(1), 103-143.
2002 Wawryk, A. (2002). Adoption of international environmental standards by transnational oil companies: Reducing the impact of oil operations in emerging economies. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law, 20(4), 402-434.
DOI
2002 Wawryk, A. (2002). The development process for wind farms in South Australia. Environmental and Planning Law Journal, 19(5), 333-354.
Scopus4
2002 Bradbrook, A., & Wawryk, A. (2002). Government initiatives promoting renewable energy for electricity generation in Australia. The University of New South Wales Law Journal, 25(1), 124-159.
2001 Bradbrook, A., & Wawryk, A. (2001). The legal regime governing the exploitation of offshore wind energy in Australia. Environmental and Planning Law Journal, 18(1), 30-45.
Scopus4
1999 Bradbrook, A., & Wawryk, A. (1999). Energy, Sustainable Development and Motor Fuels: Legal Barriers to the Use of Ethanol. Environmental and Planning Law Journal, 16(3), 196-211.
Scopus5
1998 Bradbrook, A., & Wawryk, A. (1998). Legislative implementation of financial Mmchanisms to improve motor vehicle fuel efficiency. Melbourne University Law Review, 22(3), 537-563.

Year Citation
2023 Giancaspro, M., Golding, G., Nosworthy, B., Brown, D., Viven-Wilksch, J., Wawryk, A., . . . Zito, P. (2023). Contemporary Australian Business Law. Cambridge University Press.
DOI
2020 Pereira, E. G., Wawryk, A., Trischmann, H., Banet, C., & Hall, K. B. (Eds.) (2020). The Regulation of Decommissioning, Abandonment and Reuse Initiatives in the Oil and Gas Industry: From Obligation to Opportunities. The Netherlands: Kluwer Law International B.V..
2018 Wawryk, A., Vigar, C., Bradley, P., & Hunter, T. (2018). Energy Law in Australia. The Netherlands: Wolters Kluwer.

Year Citation
2025 Pettit, J., Wawryk, A., Brent, K., & Soliman-Hunter, T. (2025). Infrastructure Needs for the Hydrogen Economy: A South Australian Case study. In R. Webb (Ed.), Research Handbook on Climate Change and Infrastructure Law (pp. 238-264). Edward Elgar Publishing.
2024 Wawryk, A. (2024). Decommissioning of offshore installations. In T. S. Hunter, A. Dobb, & E. Nordtveit (Eds.), Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Oil and Gas Law (pp. 56-59). Edward Elgar Publishing.
DOI
2023 Wawryk, A. (2023). Contracts: validity. In M. Giancaspro, G. Golding, B. Nosworthy, D. Brown, J. Viven-Wilksch, A. Wawryk, . . . P. Zito (Eds.), Contemporary Australian Business Law (1st ed., pp. 71-103). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
2023 Wawryk, A., & Golding, G. (2023). Contracts: performance and remedies. In M. Giancaspro, G. Golding, B. Nosworthy, D. Brown, J. Viven-Wilksch, A. Wawryk, . . . P. Zito (Eds.), Contemporary Australian Business Law (1st ed., pp. 126-149). https://www.cambridge.org/: Cambridge University Press.
2020 Wawryk, A. (2020). Introduction. In E. Pereira, A. Wawryk, H. Trischmann, C. Banet, & K. Hall (Eds.), The Regulation of Decommissioning, Abandonment and Reuse Initiatives in the Oil and Gas Industry: From Obligation to Opportunities (pp. 3-24). The Netherlands: Kluwer Law International B.V..
DOI
2020 Wawryk, A. (2020). International regulation of decommissioning. In E. Pereira, H. Trischmann, C. Banet, & K. Hall (Eds.), The Regulation of Decommissioning, Abandonment and Reuse Initiatives in the Oil and Gas Industry: From Obligation to Opportunities (pp. 27-46). The Netherlands: Kluwer Law International B.V..
2020 Wawryk, A., Banet, C., & Pereira, E. (2020). Regional Seas Conventions and Decommissioning. In E. Pereira, A. Wawryk, H. Trischmann, C. Banet, & K. Hall (Eds.), The Regulation of Decommissioning, Abandonment and Reuse Initiatives in the Oil and Gas Industry. From Obligation to Opportunities (Vol. 38, pp. 47-74). The Netherlands: Kluwer Law International B.V..
2020 Wawryk, A. (2020). Australia. In E. Pereira, H. Trischmann, C. Banet, & K. Hall (Eds.), The Regulation of Decommissioning, Abandonment and Reuse Initiatives in the Oil and Gas Industry. From Obligation to Opportunities (pp. 251-275). The Netherlands: Kluwer Law International B.V..
2018 Wawryk, A. (2018). Regulatory Framework Concerning Coal. In K. Deketelaere, & B. Delvaux (Eds.), Energy Law in Australia (pp. 163-195). Kluwer Law International B.V..
2018 Wawryk, A. (2018). General Introduction. In K. Deketelaere, & B. Delvaux (Eds.), Energy Law in Australia (pp. 25-70). Kluwer Law International B.V..
2018 Wawryk, A. (2018). Interaction between Energy Law and Environmental Law. In K. Deketelaere, & B. Delvaux (Eds.), Energy Law in Australia (pp. 201-238). Kluwer Law International B.V..
2018 Wawryk, A. (2018). Interaction between Energy Law and Tax Law. In K. Deketelaere, & B. Delvaux (Eds.), Energy Law in Australia (pp. 239-268). Kluwer Law International B.V..
2017 Wawryk, A. (2017). Legal Framework to Develop Offshore Wind Power in Australia. In A. Gao, & C. Fan (Eds.), The Development of a Comprehensive Legal Framework for the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power (pp. 163-189). The Netherlands: Kluwer Law International.
2016 Wawryk, A. (2016). Solar and Wind. In R. Ottinger, A. Bradbrook, L. Kurukulasuriya, K. Rabago, & M. Radka (Eds.), UN Environment Guide for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Laws (pp. 169-220). Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme.
2015 Wawryk, A. (2015). Petroleum regulation in an international context: the universality of petroleum regulation and the concept of lex petrolea. In T. Hunter (Ed.), Regulation of the Upstream Petroleum Sector: A Comparative Study of Licensing and Concession Systems (1 ed., pp. 3-35). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.
DOI Scopus5
2014 Wawryk, A. (2014). The regulation of oil spills from offshore installations. In K. Talus (Ed.), Research Handbook on International Energy Law (1 ed., pp. 548-592). United Kingdom: Edward Edgar Publishing.
DOI Scopus2
2014 Wawryk, A. (2014). International energy law: an emerging academic discipline. In P. Babie, & P. Leadbeter (Eds.), Law as Change: Engaging with the Life and Scholarship of Adrian Bradbrook (1 ed., pp. 223-255). Adelaide: University of Adelaide Press.
DOI
2007 Wawryk, A. (2007). Solar and Wind Energy. In R. Ottinger, & A. Bradbook (Eds.), UNEP Handbook for Drafting Laws on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources (pp. 139-178). Hertfordshire, United Kingdom: United Nations Environment Programme.
2006 Wawryk, A. (2006). Minimising the environmental and cultural impacts of oil operations in emerging economies: Transnational oil companies and voluntary international environmental standards. In Art and Cultural Heritage: Law Policy and Practice (pp. 262-282). Cambridge University Press.
2005 Wawryk, A. (2005). Green pricing and green power marketing: Demand-side mechanisms for promoting 'green power' in deregulated electricity markets. In A. Bradbrook (Ed.), The law of energy for sustainable development (pp. 138-155). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
DOI Scopus2
2003 Wawryk, A. (2003). Regulating transnational corporations through corporate codes of conduct. In J. Frynas, & S. Pegg (Eds.), Transnational corporations and human rights (pp. 53-78). Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS: Palgrave MacMillan.
DOI Scopus15
2000 Bradbrook, A., & Wawryk, A. (2000). Legal issues relating to electricitry production by offshore wind turbines. In Peter Catania (Ed.), Energy 2000 The Beginning of a New Millenium (pp. 1069-1080). 851 New Holland Ave Lancaster Pennsylvania 17604: Technomic Publishing Co Inc..

Year Citation
2024 Waltham, N., Saunders, M. I., Morris, R., Bell-James, J., Bishop, M. J., Bugnot, A. B., . . . Wawryk, A. (2024). Identifying and overcoming barriers to marine and coastal habitat restoration and nature-based solutions in Australia - Project Summary (Project 3.7). NESP Marine and Coastal.
2024 Bell-James, J., McCormack, P., Shumway, N., & Wawryk, A. (2024). FINAL REPORT, Project 3.7 - Technical Report, Identifying and overcoming barriers to marine and coastal habitat restoration and nature-based solutions in Australia – Legislative permitting processes for restoration.
2015 Wawryk, A., & Van Hende, K. (2015). The internationalisation of liability regimes for offshore petroleum exploration and production: Petroleum Abstracts.
  • 2023: DAFF, National Environment Science Programme, Identifying and overcoming barriers to coastal and marine habitat restoration and Nature based solutions in Australia.
  • 2023-24: Dept for Environment and Water, Navigating the legal regime for blue carbon projects in South Australia.
  • 2016-17, Member of the Academic Advisory Panel to the Leading Practice Mining Acts Review, South Australian government.
  • 2012: Consultancy, Stakeholder Democracy Network, Nigeria, co-funded by the UK and Nigerian government. Principles of Compensation for Loss and Damage Caused by Oil Pollution Damage.
  • 2003: Small Australian Research Council Grant. Designing a code of conduct for corporate social responsibility in the international oil industry.
  • 2003: Internal Grant Scheme. Analysing South Australia’s planning legislation as it applies to offshore wind energy, including a comparison with the new United Kingdom offshore planning regime.
  • 2002: Small University Research Grant. Analysing the effectiveness of the states’ legal frameworks for developing wind energy facilities.

Postgraduate Teaching

Senior Lecturer in, and Course Coordinator of, the following Masters courses:

  • International Energy Law: 2010, 2012, 2014.
  • Mining and Energy Law: 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015

 

Undergraduate Teaching

  • Environmental Law (Teacher and Course Coordinator): 2020-25, 2002-2006. Topics typically taught in this course include: principles of international environmental law; environment and the common law; Constitutional issues; Commonwealth environmental regulation (Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)); planning law (Planning Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA)); pollution control (Environment Protection Act 1993 (SA)); and the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources (Native Vegetation Act 1991 (SA) and the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA)).
  • Mining and Energy Law (Teacher and Course Coordinator): 2004, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2025. Topics typically covered in this course include: mining and constitutional law; regulation of mineral development under the Mining Act 1971 (SA); mining and environmental protection law, including mining in protected areas; mining in the Woomera Prohibited Area; mining, Native Title and the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage; the regulation of deep sea mining and space mining; regulation of petroleum development under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 (SA) and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth); principles of regulating electricity markets; renewable energy law and hydrogen regulation.
  • Aboriginal Peoples and the Law (2022-25, Course Co-coordinator 2024-25).
  • Biodiversity, Planning and Regional Australia Study Tour (2022-24).
  • Climate Change Law, 2017-22, 2025 (Course Coordinator 2019)
  • Contract Law: 2003-2004, 2009-2012, 2014-22. Coordinator of Contract Law, 2014, 2015 and 2019.
  • Introduction to Australian Law: 2002, 2003.
  • Legal Research and Writing: 2002.

Guest Lecturing

University College of London (Adelaide Campus), International Energy Law, 2010, 2012-2015.

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2024 Co-Supervisor Using Conservation Covenants for Ecosystem Restoration & Climate Adaptation Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Nate Camatta
2024 Co-Supervisor Using Conservation Covenants for Ecosystem Restoration & Climate Adaptation Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Nate Camatta

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2017 - 2020 Principal Supervisor The Role of Legislation in Ensuring Sustainable Energy Development in Nigeria: Lessons from Kenya Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Kamoru Taiwo Lawal
2014 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Codifying Contract Law in Australia: Issues and Obstacles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time John Anthony Eldridge

Date Role Board name Institution name Country
2016 - ongoing Board Member Board of Management Environment Defenders Office (SA) Inc Australia
2012 - 2016 Vice-President Management Board Seacliff Hockey Club Australia
2002 - 2005 Member Board of Management Environmental Defenders Office (SA) Inc Australia

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2003 - 2005 Member Planning, Environment and Local Government Committee Law Society of South Australia -

Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
2017 - 2017 Department of State Development, SA Mineral Resources Division Legislative and political Australia
2012 - 2012 Stakeholder Democracy Network, Nigeria, co-funded by the UK and Nigerian government. - Conservation and environment Nigeria

Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
2018 - ongoing Editor Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal Australian Resources and Energy Law Association (AMPLA) Australia
2004 - ongoing Associate Editor Oil Gas and Energy Law (OGEL) - -

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