Dr Michelle Fernando joined UniSA in 2012 and is an Associate Professor in Law. Michelle is one of Australia's leading academics in children's rights and family law. Her research focusses on the voices of children following parental separation, and in cases of international child abduction. She also researches the legal recognition of non-marriage (de facto) relationships.
Michelle has previously taught Family Law at the Australian National University, University of Adelaide and the University of Tasmania, where she completed her PhD in 2011. She also lectures in Contracts. Michelle aims to prepare students for future law careers by ensuring understanding of key legal principles and also their historical and social underpinnings. She aims to foster university graduates who acknowledge limitations and challenges of existing law and look to options for reform.
Michelle's research is highly regarded and has been widely published and cited in Australia and internationally, including by judges in legal cases. In 2023 Michelle appeared before the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs about proposed amendments to the Family Law Act, and was responsible for legislative reform giving children a greater voice in Hague child abduction cases. Michelle is a co-author of the monograph Family Law in Australia (10th Ed, 2021) and will be lead author of the 11th edition, to be published in 2025.
Michelle is a Research Degree Co-ordinator for Justice and Society. She is a member of the Child Development Council, the Australian Centre for Child Protection, JUS Academic Unit Board and is a former director of Anglicare SA and Anglicare Tasmania.