Robin Banks
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How can a psychological framework of prejudice and bias be used to strengthen discrimination law?
I am interested to research ways in which discrimination law might be reformed (and hopefully made more effective) by integrating understandings from the psychology and sociology of stigma, prejudice and discrimination. My aim is to use these frameworks to better understand how we analyse behaviour alleged to be discriminatory, and how we deal with more systemic or institutional practices that have the effect of limiting opportunities. This is an area of law that could, I think, be greatly enhanced by explicit recognition that law is about regulating behaviour. To do that effectively it is necessary to understand what drives behaviour. Social Psychologists and other social scientists have developed much more nuanced and deep understanding of prejudice than is currently reflected in discrimination law.
About Robin Banks
Before I started my PhD candidature in February 2018, I was working in a range of capacities in Tasmania supporting community and grass-roots advocacy for human rights. I stepped down from the role of Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner at the end of January 2017, having spent just over six and a half years in that role.
I grew up in Tasmania and returned to become the Commissioner. I have worked in government, private and not-for-profit legal roles, including as CEO of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (NSW) and Director of the Public Interest Law Clearing House (NSW). I also had the formative opportunity of working for a year with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (1999-2000) as well as having practised as a lawyer then Senior Associate with the Sydney law firm, Henry Davis York (2000-2005).
I graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of NSW in 1999. Before that I had worked in the community sector in the area of disability rights advocacy in particular in the Northern Territory and New South Wales, as well as social justice and legal rights more broadly in Victoria.
Through all these experience, particularly working on rights issues alongside people with disability, I have seen the promises and frustrations of the law as an agent for justice and social change. I am particularly interesting in challenging the law to be a more effective tool to respond to the injustice of prejudice and stigma.
Get in touch
Robin is very happy to discuss her research and is keen to collaborate with others in the work needed to achieve the promise of discrimination and equality law. Potential speaking topics include:
I am interested to research ways in which discrimination law might be reformed (and hopefully made more effective) by integrating understandings from the psychology and sociology of stigma, prejudice and discrimination. My aim is to use these frameworks to better understand how we analyse behaviour alleged to be discriminatory, and how we deal with more systemic or institutional practices that have the effect of limiting opportunities. This is an area of law that could, I think, be greatly enhanced by explicit recognition that law is about regulating behaviour. To do that effectively it is necessary to understand what drives behaviour. Social Psychologists and other social scientists have developed much more nuanced and deep understanding of prejudice than is currently reflected in discrimination law.
About Robin Banks
Before I started my PhD candidature in February 2018, I was working in a range of capacities in Tasmania supporting community and grass-roots advocacy for human rights. I stepped down from the role of Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner at the end of January 2017, having spent just over six and a half years in that role.
I grew up in Tasmania and returned to become the Commissioner. I have worked in government, private and not-for-profit legal roles, including as CEO of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (NSW) and Director of the Public Interest Law Clearing House (NSW). I also had the formative opportunity of working for a year with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (1999-2000) as well as having practised as a lawyer then Senior Associate with the Sydney law firm, Henry Davis York (2000-2005).
I graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of NSW in 1999. Before that I had worked in the community sector in the area of disability rights advocacy in particular in the Northern Territory and New South Wales, as well as social justice and legal rights more broadly in Victoria.
Through all these experience, particularly working on rights issues alongside people with disability, I have seen the promises and frustrations of the law as an agent for justice and social change. I am particularly interesting in challenging the law to be a more effective tool to respond to the injustice of prejudice and stigma.
Get in touch
Robin is very happy to discuss her research and is keen to collaborate with others in the work needed to achieve the promise of discrimination and equality law. Potential speaking topics include:
- Unconscious Bias/Implicit awareness and organisational change
- Developing campaigns for social change
- The role of law (discrimination and human rights) in creating stronger and more inclusive communities and government programs
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