Professor Megan Davis

Professor Davis is currently Pro Vice Chancellor UNSW and Acting Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court and a member of the NSW Sentencing Council. An admitted solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, Professor Davis is a constitutional law professor specialising in constitutional design and constitution-building and one of the nation’s leading public constitutional lawyers.

Professor Davis was a member of the Prime Minister’s Expert Panel on constitutional recognition of Indigenous peoples in 2011 and a member of the Prime Minister’s Referendum Council (2015-2017). Professor Davis has served a lengthy diplomatic career in the United Nations over the past 18 years as a Fellow of the UNHCHR in Geneva, an expert member and chair of the UNPFII in New York (2011-2016), an expert in peacemaking and preventive diplomacy for UNITAR and an expert member of the UN Human Rights Council's EMRIP in Geneva.

In New York, she was actively involved in the work of UN Women. Professor Davis’s outstanding career has been recognised in 2016 through the United Nations Association Queensland Community award for dedication and contribution to the Queensland community reflecting the United Nations principles; as one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review and Westpac, and one of NITV’s 20 inspiring black women who changed Australia.

Prior to this, Professor Davis received the University of Queensland, ES Meyers Medal (2015); the United Nations Certificate of Recognition for Service to the United Nations (2014 and 2017); the University of Queensland Alumni award Indigenous Community Impact Award (2014); the National Australia Bank/Women’s Agenda Inspirational Ambassador Award (2013); and one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review and Westpac (2016, 2013).

Professor Davis is a Cobble Cobble woman of the Barrungam nation in south west Queensland and of South Sea Islander descent (Vanuatu). She grew up in country Queensland in the North Burnett region, including Mulgildie, Monto, Hervey Bay and then, in Eagleby, Logan City where rugby league has played an important and critical element of the community and has been her sport of choice.