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Murdoch University has appointed Professor Alan Berman, previously the dean of law at Charles Darwin University, as the new dean of its School of Law and Criminology.
Berman joins Murdoch as a figure who, the university said, is “highly regarded” across the legal community. He served as the dean of law at Charles Darwin University (CDU) from 2018 and, during that time, he oversaw a strong performance for the institution’s bachelor of laws program in the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) rankings.
Under his leadership, CDU’s bachelor of laws also enrolled the largest number of First Nations students of any law degree in Australia. Berman is, in addition, an active member of the Council of Australian Law Deans (CALD).
Speaking about the appointment, Murdoch University pro vice chancellor of law, arts and social sciences Professor Deborah Gare said Berman’s arrival aligned closely with the university’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and First Nations.
“Professor Berman is recognised for his capacity to listen carefully, consult meaningfully, and build genuine confidence and trust among colleagues, students, and the profession.
“Those who have worked with him speak of a school culture that is inclusive, collaborative, and genuinely supportive, and one in which staff feel valued and are able to do their best work,” she said.
“Professor Berman has led institutional responses to these challenges and brings both the perspective of a practitioner-educator and the rigor of a scholar to bear on them.
“That combination of insight will be an asset to Murdoch as we navigate the same terrain.
“The School of Law and Criminology at Murdoch has a strong foundation, huge talent, and genuine appetite for its next phase.”
In terms of what Berman brings to that next phase, Gare identified a handful of attributes in particular: his experience, his commitment to people and culture, his standing within the national legal education community, and his thoughtful engagement with the critical questions facing the discipline. All of these, she said, would serve the university well.
“Professor Berman’s experience, commitment to people and culture, standing within the national legal education community, and his thoughtful engagement with the critical questions facing our discipline will serve the University well,” she said.
“We wish him and the School every success for their future.”
