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60 seconds with … Susan Kneebone

16 July 2008

Professor Susan Kneebone

Name: Susan Kneebone
Org. Unit: Faculty of Law
Title: Professor

How long have you been with Monash University?

24 years -- I can't believe it!

Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?

I was the first female academic to be employed in the law department at Hong Kong University. I fulfilled all their expectations by promptly getting pregnant not once but twice in rapid succession. There was no structure for part-time work in those days and I had a heavy teaching load -- but I managed with the assistance of a Filipina maid. It is ironic that my interest now lies in the management of labour migration in South East Asia and that the position of domestic workers is such a huge issue.

What challenges are ahead in your current role?

To maintain a sensible life-work balance -- I have so many ideas for interesting projects that I want to complete and not enough time.

What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?

I particularly enjoy networking around the globe and working with younger people, both students and colleagues. As my main area of research is refugee law and forced migration, I have ample opportunities for building global networks.

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

I love travelling and am notorious within my faculty for that, as I love to experience different cultures. I could say rural France, but fundamentally I love to come back to Australia and to the Australian landscape. I only ever truly relax in the bush -- camping and bush-walking are my favourite leisure activities.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

I am very bad at accepting advice from others so I probably ignored it. But probably the best advice I received when I came to Monash University was to aim for the best quality publications and to have confidence in one's ability.

What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?

At age 15 I wanted to be a producer of television programs but I was later persuaded by my parents to study law. I often think that the organisational and creative skills required for an academic career are not too far removed from those of a producer.