Dr Imelda Deinla has joined the University of New England Law School as its newest Senior Lecturer of law.
Hailing from a small island in the Philippines, Dr Deinla grew up on Ticao Island in the province of Masbate, home to a protected species of giant manta rays.
“Coming from a remote area, I developed a passion for how law and justice can change the lives of those in the periphery. After high school, I went to the capital city, Manila where I finished my degrees in political science and law from the University of the Philippines,” says Dr Deinla.
In the Philippines, she worked in mainstream and alternative legal professions, both as a litigation and corporate lawyer and legal advocate on women’s rights and gender violence.
At the University of New South Wales, she was able to further hone her legal knowledge and skills and embarked on the interdisciplinary study of law, most particularly the study of the rule of law and justice in non-Western environment.
“A three-year stint at the Diplomacy Training Program, a regional human rights training organisation, allowed me to deepen my understanding of vulnerable communities in Australia and the Asia Pacific region and to work with various mechanisms of human rights and justice,” says Dr Deinla.
She then spent over eight years at the School of Regulation and Global Governance at the Australian National University as a Fellow researching on varied subjects, such as; the rule of law, judicial politics, women and judiciary, and hybrid justice in post-conflict settings - also teaching criminology and violence against women.
In the past two years, Dr Deinla has been connected with the School of Government of the Ateneo de Manila University where she expanded her research portfolio to contemporary challenges to democracy like misinformation, violence and crimes and punitiveness.
At the Ateneo, she developed and taught courses on critical criminology and research methods as well as human rights and international criminal law for other institutions.
I have also been involved in policy work and capacity building in rule of law and justice in conflict and post-conflict settings, such as Mindanao in Philippines, Myanmar and countries in Africa.
When asked what excites her about her job, Dr Deinla notes, “I wake up every morning knowing that I am privileged to do the work I am passionate about. I’m excited to be continuously learning – from my students, colleagues in the academe, and practitioners. I have been fortunate to conduct studies that have practical benefit especially to the people on the ground and the communities.”
A veteran in socio-legal studies, Dr Deinla speaks with a scholarly eloquence when putting forth her notions of law and justice.
“Justice for me is a complex word that embodies ethical ideas of fairness, is underpinned by law and rules, and works variably in different contexts. Justice has many dimensions – individually, institutionally and at the societal level. In many cases, there is no alignment or consistency among these levels and, as such, justice is understood and experienced differently by groups and societies.
“For me, justice and law are not equivalent, unless law serves justice and is intended to produce just outcomes. Laws can be unjust and perpetuate injustices. It can be instrumentalised by those who have power. It is important to consider justice from a more holistic and societal perspective, to see its varied forms, and to reflect on how justice can be achieved for those in the margins.”
It is important to consider justice from a more holistic and societal perspective, to see its varied forms, and to reflect on how justice can be achieved for those in the margins.
An insightful thinker, Dr Deinla is just as impressive and articulate when asked to offer career advice, “focus on the things that make us happy and fulfilled, be open and flexible to ideas, and approach challenges with calmness and grace. Most of all, be kind to yourself.”
Outside of work, Dr Deinla can be found pursuing her love of gardening and cooking.
“My tiny place is teeming with small trees, flowers, a vegetable patch and even a grape vine! I am also passionate about animal welfare and a cat mum to Bubu who loves attending all my classes and seminars. I love cooking and hunting for good quality coffee.”
Welcome to UNE!
