Anna High says what links her research is an interest in vulnerable populations, how the law can often let certain people down, and how it can be reformed in a way to redress that.
The recipient of an illustrious Otago award has been described as “bold” and “groundbreaking” in her research.
Associate Professor Anna High has received the 2024 Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal - awarded to early career staff who demonstrate outstanding scholarly achievement that enhances the understanding, development and wellbeing of individuals and society.
Since joining Otago’s Faculty of Law in late 2017, Anna has established herself as an expert in evidence law, criminal law, feminist theory/sexual violence, Chinese law and socio-legal research methods.
Anna says what links her research is an interest in vulnerable populations, how the law can often let certain people down, and how it can be reformed in a way to redress that.
She has been supported and encouraged as an emerging researcher at Otago.
“In particular, my colleagues in the Faculty of Law are consistently generous with their time and expertise – reading drafts, writing supporting statements for grants, creating opportunities to collaborate and create.
“Working in such a collaborative and positive research environment is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my work.”
Research that affects society
Her work has been described as “groundbreaking” and “brave” in the conduct of socio-legal fieldwork in China, and in tackling the law's response to sexual violence and what constitutes proper evidence of consent.
“Socio-legal scholarship is about not thinking about law in a silo but in relation to society; how the law can affect societal change and also how social norms and movements come through in the law. This is where my interests lie – where law hits the ground,” Anna says.
In her socio-legal fieldwork in China Anna looked at quasi-legal orphanages, including how they negotiated their existence with the state and the implications of their uncertain legal status for the children in their care.
She studied Chinese and Law at the University of Queensland and went on to do a Bachelor of Civil Law, and a Master's and Doctor of Philosophy in Chinese Law as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford.
On her research in sexual violation law, Anna says there is a history of laws that are very gendered in terms of their impact on women and sexual minorities. She is interested in how we can move toward a more updated understanding of consent and the power for legal reform to contribute to societal changes.
In 2022, Anna was awarded the Royal Society Te Apārangi national early career research award for excellence in Humanities research.
Teaching
Anna says teaching is a “true joy”. Her excellence in teaching was recognised in 2023 with a Te Whatu Kairangi Aotearoa Tertiary Education Award for her initiatives for progressing hauora and wellbeing in education. She is a champion of the benefits of mindfulness as a pedagogical tool.
Anna is also highly active in continuing professional education for lawyers. She is founder and co-chair of the New Zealand chapter of the Mindfulness in Law Society and was invited by the New Zealand judiciary to join the teaching faculty of the Institute of Judicial Studies, which provides continuing education for judges.
Law outside the academy
Another distinguishing feature of Anna’s research has been its impact on law outside the academy.
She co-led the establishment of the Otago Centre for Law and Society, which is now a national hub for events, research and collaborations in the socio-legal area.
Anna started researching evidence law more deeply when she joined Otago in 2017, because it was one of her teaching subjects. By 2023, she was a member of the New Zealand Law Commission’s Expert Advisory Group on its Third Review of the Evidence Act 2006, a key piece of legislation governing the admissibility of evidence in New Zealand civil and criminal trials.
“It’s great to have opportunities to work with judges and practitioners, because they are the ones who really know what’s happening on the ground and what changes might need to happen. Equally, there’s an important role for the academy in contributing to those conversations about the direction of law’s development in our society.”
Anna says she is honoured to receive the University’s 2024 Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal, especially looking at the list of incredible past recipients.
“I’m excited to use the award funds to pursue various research interests, including gender equality, mindful pedagogy, and evidentiary reforms.”