Murdoch University has appointed Professor Alan Berman as the new Dean of the School of Law and Criminology.

Professor Berman joins as one of the most experienced Law Deans in Australia and is highly regarded across the legal community.

He previously served as the Dean of Law at Charles Darwin University since 2018, where he oversaw a strong performance for their Bachelor of Laws program in the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) rankings.

Under his leadership, CDU’s Bachelor of Laws enrolled the largest number of First Nations students of any Law degree in Australia.

Professor Berman is also an active member of the Council of Australian Law Deans (CALD).

Murdoch University Pro Vice Chancellor of Law, Arts and Social Sciences Professor Deborah Gare said Professor Berman’s appointment aligned closely with Murdoch’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 will bring experience and practical engagement with the issues reshaping legal education across Australia, such as the impact of artificial intelligence and the future of Priestley 11 – a foundational knowledge requirement that has defined accredited Australian law programs for decades. 

Professor Gare said his engagement with these questions was grounded in practical experience.

“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,” she said.

“The School of Law and Criminology at Murdoch has a strong foundation, huge talent, and genuine appetite for its next phase,” Professor Gare said.

“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.”

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