Professor Susan Harris-Rimmer
Areas of expertise
- Gender Specific Studies 169901
- Human Rights Law 180114
- International Law (Excl. International Trade Law) 180116
- International Relations 160607
- Government And Politics Of Asia And The Pacific 160606
Research interests
Transitional Justice - Timor Leste, Afghanistan, Myanmar
Feminist approaches to international law
Refugee and Migration Law
International Humanitarian Law
International Aid and Development
Regional Diplomacy - MIKTA, IORA, ASEAN, APEC
Public Diplomacy, E-diplomacy
Feminist Approaches to Diplomacy
The G20
The Security Council
National Security
Human Rights
Women's Social Policy
Transnational Civil Society Movements
Biography
Dr Susan Harris Rimmer (BA[Hons]/LLB[Hons] UQ, SJD ANU) is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow in the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University. She is also a Research Associate at the Development Policy Centre in the Crawford School. She joined Griffith Law School as an Associate Professor in July 2015.
Her Future Fellow project is called 'Trading' Women's Rights in Transitions: Designing Diplomatic Interventions in Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Susan is the author of Gender and Transitional Justice: The Women of Timor Leste (Routledge, 2010) and over 30 refereed academic works. Susan was chosen as the winner of the Audre Rapoport Prize for Scholarship on the Human Rights of Women for 2006.
She often acts as a policy adviser to government and produces policy papers. Susan was selected as an expert for the official Australian delegation to the 58th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March 2014. She has provided policy advice on the UNSC, G20, IORA and MIKTA.
Susan is the G20 correspondent for The Conversation site. She is part of the Think20 process for Australia’s host year of the Group of 20 Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane 2014, and attended the St Petersburg Summit in 2013 and the Brisbane Summit in 2014. Sue is one of the two Australian representatives to the W20 Turkey.
Sue was awarded the Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Award in 2002, selected as participant in the 2020 Summit 2008 by then Prime Minister Rudd, and awarded the Future Summit Leadership Award, 2008, by the Australian Davos Connection (part of the World Economic Forum). In 2014 she was named one of the Westpac and Australian Financial Review's 100 Women of Influence in the Global category.
Sue was previously the Advocacy lead at the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), She has also worked for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the National Council of Churches and the Parliamentary Library.
Researcher's projects
Vision 2012-2015
Channel 9 morning news – Hillary Clinton campaign - http://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/mornings/videos/4171569990001/
Putting Gender on the G20 agenda - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGt853XIjzY
Y20: Big decisions for Young People at the G20 - http://eyelevel.com.au/Y20/topics/g20-y20-and-the-big-decisions-for-young-people/
Equality: The linchpin of successful development? - One Just World -
http://www.onejustworld.com.au/forums/Equality-The-Linchpin-of-Successful-Development
Diplomacy in the Internet Age -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NH3dVt73OE
Australia on the Security Council: Strategies to advance the Women Peace and Security agenda - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uVJigtE3Xo&feature=youtu.be
What is the G20 and why does it matter - GB TImes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Ka9JEDNgE
Why should we care about the G20 - Sky News - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgcOSi4npAo
Children of the Afghan War - National Press Club, ABC Big Ideas - http://www.abc.net.au/tv/bigideas/stories/2011/05/05/3208933.htm
Why refugee law is difficult, even without the politics - Wheeler Centre - http://wheelercentre.com/videos/video/lunchbox-soapbox-susan-harris-rimmer-on-why-refugee-law-is-difficult-even-without-the-politics/
Opinion Pieces
2015
Why Australia should have joined AIIB – Lowy Interpreter - 30 March 2015 - http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/03/30/Why-Australia-should-have-joined-the-AIIB-last-November.aspx
Opinion for ASEAN Insights Bulletin - Indonesian soft power in ASEAN and beyond
2014
Julie Bishop needs the company of other women in Cabinet, Canberra Times, 2 December 2014.
Koala diplomacy: Australian soft power saves the day at G20, The Conversation, 18 November 2014
‘And speaking of China…’ Obama’s hope for Asia, The Conversation, 15 November 2014
Who’s who in the G20 zoo? Focus on the sherpas, The Conversation, 15 November 2014
Why Joe Hockey and the G20 need women onside, The Conversation, 3 November 2014
Explainer: who gets invited to the G20 summit, and why, The Conversation, 3 November 2014
Time to act: can the world prevent sexual violence in armed conflict?, The Conversation,11 June 2014
Time for the G20 to invest in gender equality, The Conversation, 4 March 2014
We are all spillovers now: G20 finance meeting explained, The Conversation, 19 February 2014
Lost in transmission: the Australia Network, soft power and diplomacy, The Converation, 31 January 2014.
Australia's Die-Hard Diplomacy, East Asia Forum - 21 January 2014, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2014/01/21/australias-die-hard-diplomacy/
Davos Diplomacy: Abbott sells G20 Summit to world leaders, The Conversation, 22 January 2014. https://theconversation.com/davos-diplomacy-abbott-sells-g20-summit-to-world-leaders-22188
2013
Delivering growth but protecting economies: our G20 conundrum, The Conversation, 6 December 2013, https://theconversation.com/delivering-growth-but-protecting-economies-our-g20-conundrum-20894
Getting behind Burma - CAP News, 5 December 2013. http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/news-events/all-stories/getting-behind-burma#.Uqp0221XvyU
Efforts to stop violence against women must focus on social, cultural norms, East Asia Forum, 27 October 2013, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2013/10/27/efforts-to-stop-violence-against-women-must-focus-on-social-cultural-norms/
The distortion of Abbott's 'women problem', Public Sector Informant, Canberra Times, 1 October 2013, http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/the-distortion-of-abbotts-women-problem-20130929-2um0b.html
Bishop joins ranks of the few, Canberra Times, 30 September 2013, http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/bishop-joins-ranks-of-the-few-20130919-2u2c5.html#ixzz2hrKiAtOy
G20 Summit Brisbane 2014: Persuasion post-Petersburg, The Conversation, 9 September 2013, http://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-harris-rimmer-20773/articles
Pride and prejudice as curtain comes down on the G20, The Conversation, 7 September 2013, http://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-harris-rimmer-20773/articles
Day one at the G20 Summit: tense and sensibility, The Conversation, 6 September 2013, http://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-harris-rimmer-20773/articles
What does the G20 actually do? The Conversation, 4 September 2013, http://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-harris-rimmer-20773/articles
FactCheck: did Kevin Rudd help create the G20? The Conversation, 19 August 2013, http://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-harris-rimmer-20773/articles
What on earth is the G20 and why should I care?, The Conversation, 6 August 2013, http://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-harris-rimmer-20773/articles
The top 10 mistakes in the PNG Solution, The Drum, ABC News, 24 July 2013. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-24/harris-rimmer-the-top-10-mistakes-in-rudds-png-solution/4838586
Disappointing politics: Australia’s Indonesia relationship, East Asia Forum, 9 July 2013, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2013/07/09/disappointing-politics-australias-indonesia-relationship/
Refugee Convention: the perils of leaving, ASPI Strategist, 20 June 2013, http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/refugee-convention-the-perils-of-leaving/
Why soft power is so hard: the impact of aid cuts on regional security, The Conversation, 7 June 2013, http://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-harris-rimmer-20773/articles
Paying the price for aid and diplomacy cuts, CAP ANU News, 14 May 2013, http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/news-events/all-stories/paying-price-aid-and-diplomacy-cuts#.Ul4jYm1XvyU
Sector on a Fiscal Cliff, Development Policy Blog, 25 February 2013, http://devpolicy.org/sector-on-the-fiscal-cliff-20120224/
Rising up in support of women, The Canberra Times, 14 February 2013, http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/rising-up-in-support-of-women-20130213-2ed6k.html#ixzz2hrKz5mk2
Careers in development: an interview with Susan Harris Rimmer on a career spanning the private sector, public sector, NGOs, and academia, interviewed by Jonathan Pryke, 19 April 2013, http://devpolicy.org/careers-in-development-an-interview-with-susan-harris-rimmer-on-a-career-spanning-the-private-sector-public-sector-ngos-and-academia-2013041/
Research Projects
Building Democracy & Justice After Conflict (complete)
Women and Diplomacy
Implementing Women, Peace and Security in Australia’s domestic and foreign policies
Australia has not only secured a two-year seat on the United Nations Security Council, it has also secured a seat on the UN Women Executive Board. This provides a platform and momentum for Australia to further the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. As part of this commitment, Australia has developed of a National Action Plan (NAP), released in 2012, that commits relevant government agencies to implementing the WPS agenda. This research provides an analysis of the ongoing Australian efforts to implement the NAP domestically and promote the WPS agenda in the United Nations.
Diplomactic Strategies for Pivotal Powers
Troika Diplomacy - Russia, Australia and Turkey in the G20 (2013-2015)
Evaluating Australian Outreach - G20 Leaders Summit Brisbane 2014
Australia on the UN Security Council: Lessons and Legacies from E10 members
Peacebuilding Diplomacy: Sites, Actors, Dilemmas
E-Diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific: opportunity and crisis
Diplomacy: The 21st century professional skillset
Diplomacy and Development
Understanding Transitional Justice
Available student projects
Apologies, not taking further students at present. You can contact me at Griffith Law School on s.harris-rimmer@griffith.edu.au
Current student projects
Christine Kenny, PhD thesis, 2014
Women's human rights in Kenya
Jayson Lamchek, PhD thesis, 2014
Human rights and counter-terrorism measures in Indonesia and the Philippines
Past student projects
Bambang Nugroho, Master of International Affairs thesis, Semester 2, 2014,
Negotiating Space: Humanitarian Diplomacy by States and Regional Organisations
Mariko Yamamoto, Master of International Affairs thesis, Semester 2, 2013
What consequences does the exclusion of forcefully displaced persons from the transitional justice process have upon the achievement of post-conflict justice?
Publications
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2015, 'Is the Responsibility to Protect doctrine gender-neutral?', in R Thakur, W.Maley (ed.), Theorising the Responsibility to Protect, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, pp. 266-284.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2014, 'The big stage: Australian women leading global change', in Joy Damousi, Kim Rubenstein and Mary Tomsic (ed.), Diversity in Leadership : Australian women, past and present, ANU Press, Canberra, pp. 91-107.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2014, 'Dangerous intersection: migration and counter-terrorism laws in the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef', in Fiona Jenkins, Mark Nolan, Kim Rubenstein (ed.), Allegiance and Identity in a Globalised World, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, pp. 291-308.
- Harris Rimmer, S. 2014. 'When WPS Met CEDAW (and Broke Up with R2P?)' Article for E-International Relations, 13 March, http://www.e-ir.info/2014/03/13/when-wps-met-cedaw-and-broke-up-with-r2p/
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2013, 'Australian Leadership at the Security Council: Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda', Human Rights Defender, vol. 22, no. 2, p. 28.
- McAdam, J, Berg, L, Crock, M et al 2013, Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights: Complementary Protection.
- Celermajer, D, Finn, M, Altman, J et al 2013, Australian Political Party Poverty Audit August 2013.
- Harris Rimmer, S 2013. Entries on Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and Truth and Reconciliation Commission(Solomon Islands) in Encyclopedia of Transitional Justice 3 Volume Hardback Set, eds: Lavinia Stan and Nadya Nedelsky, Cambridge University Press, 2013.
- Harris Rimmer, S. 2013. ‘Australian Leadership at the Security Council: Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda’ UNSW Human Rights Defender, July (1,500 words).
- Harris Rimmer, S. 2013. ‘Coherence and Humility: Development Priorities for the G20’ Contribution to the G20 Monitor, July 2013, Lowy Institute (3,500 words). http://www.lowyinstitute.org/files/g20_monitor_the_g20_and_development_.pdf
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2012, 'Timor-Leste: International intervention, gender and the dangers of negative peace', in Edward Aspinall, Robin Jeffrey and Anthony J Regan (ed.), Diminishing Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific: Why some subside and others don't, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, New York USA, pp. 19-36.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2010, 'A passport to punishment: administrative measures of control for national security purposes', in Nicola McGarrity, Andrew Lynch and George Williams (ed.), Counter Terrorism and Beyond: The Culture of Law and Justice after 9/11, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, Abingdon and New York, pp. 109-127.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2010, 'Women Cut in Half: Refugee Women and the Commission for Reception, Truth Seeking and Reconciliation in Timor Leste', Refugee Survey Quarterly, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 85-103.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2010, 'Assessing the relevance of the international legal framework in claiming economic and social rights', in Ann Nevile (ed.), Human Rights and Social Policy: A Comparative Analysis of Values and Citizenship in OECD Countries, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK & Northampton, MA, USA.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2010, 'The dangers of character tests under Australian migration laws', Australian Journal of Administrative Law, vol. 17, pp. 229-244.
- Harris Rimmer, S. (2010)Raising women up: analysing Australian advocacy for women's rights under international and domestic law in Margaret Thornton and Trish Luker (eds) Sex Discrimination in Uncertain Times, ANU E-press.
- Charlesworth, H & Harris-Rimmer, S 2010, 'Feminist Internationalisms', The Australian Feminist Law Journal, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 3-7.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2010, 'Sexing the subject of Transitional Justice', The Australian Feminist Law Journal, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 123-147.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2010, 'Raising Women Up: Analysing Australian Advocacy for Women's Rights under International and Domestic Law', in Margaret Thornton (ed.), Sex Discrimination in Uncertain Times, ANU ePress, Canberra Australia, pp. 291-318.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2009, 'Book Review: Counter-Terrorism Policing: Community, Cohesion and Security', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 269-271.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2009, 'Is ASIO a good judge of character?', Alternative Law Journal, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 102-107.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2009, 'Beloved Madam: The Indonesian ad hoc Human Rights Court', in William Binchy (ed.), Timor Leste: Challenges for Justice and Human Rights in the Shadow of the Past, Clarus Press, Dublin, Ireland, pp. 427-473.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2009, 'Book review: Implementing Human Rights Norms: Judicial Discretion and Use of Unincorporated Conventions', Australian Journal of Human Rights, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 181-183.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2009, 'Grand Plans', in Barbara Nelson & Andrew MacIntyre (ed.), Capturing the year 2009: Writings from the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra, pp. 74-79.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2009, 'Comments: Examining the character of Australian citizens', Public Law Review, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 95-100.
- Harris-Rimmer, S & Gani, M 2008, 'The Clarke Inquiry: some insights and emerging issues', Australia Institute - Discussion Papers, no. 56, pp. 8-9.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2007, 'Orphans or Veterans? Justice for Children born of war in East Timor', in R. Charli Carpenter (ed.), Born of War: Protecting Children of Sexual Violence Survivors in Conflict Zones, Kumarian Press (an imprint of Stylus Publishing), USA, pp. 53-77.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2007, ''Orphans' or Veterans? Justice for Children Born of War in East Timor', Texas International Law Journal, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 323-344.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2006, 'The Role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees', in Ustinia Dolgopol and Judith Gardam (ed.), The Challenge of Conflict: International Law Responds, Koninklijke Brill, The Netherlands, pp. 517-527.
- Harris-Rimmer, S 2006, 'The Roman Catholic Church and the Rights of East Timorese Women', in Amanda Whiting & Carolyn Evans (ed.), Mixed Blessings: Laws, Religions, and Women�s Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands, pp. 161-181.
