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Our people

Industry-connected educators and leading researchers

Learn more about Deakin Law School and Deakin Business School staff and find out about the faculty leadership empowering our students, staff and partners to work toward positive change.

Meet the Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Law

Professor Jenni Lightowlers was Dean of the Deakin Law School from 2017 to 2023 and previously served on the University Council and as Deakin’s Deputy Chancellor. Jenni is a highly regarded adviser to universities in Australia and the South Pacific on research commercialisation and governance. A leading lawyer in life sciences and commercialisation of IP, she is a founding partner of the technology law firm, Francis Abourizk Lightowlers.

Jenni is focused on equipping students to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape by providing a dynamic and supportive learning environment that fosters innovation, critical thinking and ethical leadership.

She is passionate about working with partners and stakeholders to create impact beyond the university and address the challenges and opportunities of our time through innovation and sustainable solutions.

I am proud to lead a faculty that is dedicated to excellence in education, research and community engagement. Our mission is to empower students and partners to achieve their full potential and make a positive impact on the world.

Professor Jenni Lightowlers

Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Law

Key contacts

Professor Jenni Lightowlers, Executive Dean Business and Law

Professor Amanda Pyman, Dean, Deakin Business School

Professor Marilyn McMahon, Dean, Deakin Law School

Professor Colin Higgins, Associate Dean, International and Partnerships

Professor Mehmet Ulubasoglu, Associate Dean, Research

Dr Dilal Saundage, Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning

Associate Professor Nichola Robertson, Director, Faculty Higher Degrees Research (HRD)

Dr Paul Harrison, Director, Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Dr David Tan, Director, Juris Doctor (JD)

Dr Wayne Read, Academic Coordinator, Work-Integrated Learning

General contacts

Bernadette Paes-Lawry, Executive Assistant to the Executive Dean

Office of the Director, Providing executive support to the Faculty Executive team

Meet our school staff

Find out about the prominent professors and lecturers at Deakin Business School and Deakin Law School who could be teaching you.

Research staff

The Faculty of Business and Law partners with industry, government and community to transform ideas into impact. Our world-class researchers, facilities and networks will kick-start your research career.

Learn more about our research

Centres

Centre for Disaster Resilience and Recovery
Professor Mehmet Ulubasoglu, Director

Centre for Law as Protection
Professor Shiri Krebs and Professor Patrick Emerton, Co-Directors

Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education (CREATE)
Dr Karen Dunwoodie, Director

Deakin Sustainable Business Centre
Michael Bray, Executive Director

IPA-Deakin SME Research Centre 
Professor Rui Torres de Oliveira, Director

Units

Arts & Creative Industries Research and Engagement (ACiRE)
Professor Hilary Glow, Director

Better Consumption Lab 
Professor Josh Newton, Director

Deakin MarTech Clinic
Professor Andre Bonfrer, Director

Deakin Sport, Innovation and Technology Lab
Dr Adam Karg, Director

Impact Finance Hub
Dr Emma Li, Director

Law, Health and Society
Associate Professor Neera Bhatia, Director

Leadership Futures Hub
Dr Fannie Wu, Director

Women's Entrepreneurship Research Alliance
Associate Professor Dhara Shah, Director

Contact us

If you have any questions for the Faculty of Business and Law, please get in touch.

Email Deakin Business School
Email Deakin Law School