Daniel is Associate Professor and the Director of the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at UNSW Sydney, and an Australian Research Council (ARC) DECRA Fellow.
He is an internationally recognised scholar of international and comparative refugee and migration law. His ARC DECRA Fellowship examines comparative practices to develop recommendations for improving the fairness and efficiency of Australia's asylum procedures. He has also published widely on the way restrictive asylum policies have spread around the world. This is the topic of his book, Refuge Lost: Asylum Law in an Interdependent World (Cambridge University Press, 2018). He has spent time as a Visiting Fellow at the Refugee Studies Centre at Oxford University and a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Law School, Brooklyn Law School and New York Law School.
Daniel is passionate about using technology to increase access to justice and to counter systemic discrimination and bias in the legal system. He is the founder of the Kaldor Centre Data Lab, through which he has pioneered computational and data-driven approaches to studying administrative and judicial decision-making in refugee cases. He is one of Australia's leading experts on legal technology and generative AI. He has been involved in establishing numerous initiatives using technology to increase access to justice including Wallumatta Legal, a not-for-profit law firm which provides low-cost legal advice to family law litigants that would otherwise be unrepresented, and the Hear Me Out Complaints Platform, which aims to harness the power of complaint making to combat systemic discrimination in Australia.
Daniel was formerly the Deputy Director of the Kaldor Centre, and the co-lead of the Access to Justice and Technology Stream at the UNSW Allens Hub for Law, Technology and Innovation. In his previous role, he founded and directed the award winning Macquarie University Social Justice Clinic and led the Law and AI stream at the Macquarie AI-enabled Processes Research Centre.
Daniel is a practicing refugee lawyer. He is Special Counsel at the National Justice Project, and sits on the boards of a number of not-for-profit legal centres, including the Refugee Advice and Casework Service and Wallumatta Legal. He is also a founder and board member of the Access to Justice and Technology Network, which promotes and supports the uptake of legal technology in Australia's not-for-profit legal sector.
Daniel regularly features and published in domestic and international media outlets on refugee, migration, access to justice and legal technology issues. In 2021, he was selected for the ABC Top 5 Humanities Media Residency.
Media
McAdam J; Ghezelbash D; Gleeson M; Harley T, 2024, The Consequences of the Government’s New Migration Legislation Could Be Dire – For Individuals and for Australia, https://theconversation.com/the-consequences-of-the-governments-new-migration-legislation-could-be-dire-for-individuals-and-for-australia-226713
Ghezelbash D; Talbot A, 2023, High Court reasons on immigration ruling pave way for further legislation, https://theconversation.com/high-court-reasons-on-immigration-ruling-pave-way-for-further-legislation-218699
Ghezelbash D; McAdam J, 2023, Why the Government’s Plan to Overhaul the Asylum System is a Smart Use of Resources – and Might Just Work, https://theconversation.com/why-the-governments-plan-to-overhaul-the-asylum-system-is-a-smart-use-of-resources-and-might-just-work-215061
McAdam J; Barbour B; Higgins C; Ghezelbash D; Gleeson M; Harley T, 2023, Our cruel and costly offshore processing system was a failure. We have a better solution on asylum policy, The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/our-cruel-and-costly-offshore-processing-system-was-a-failure-we-have-a-better-solution-on-asylum-policy-210378?mc_cid=f96ddce084&mc_eid=ba540188ba
Journal articles
Gammeltoft-Hansen T; Ghezelbash D, 2024, 'What role for law in refugee studies? Towards a transdisciplinary agenda', Journal of Refugee Studies, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jrs/feae068
Viennet C; Ghezelbash D; Hinterberger KF; Urscheler LH, 2023, 'Editorial', International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, 7, pp. 107 - 107, http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/ijmbs.2023.129795
Ghezelbash D, 2023, 'Legal transfers of migration law: the case for an interdisciplinary approach', International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, 7, pp. 182 - 196, http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/ijmbs.2023.128602
Carole V; Ghezelbash D; Hinterberger KF; Heckendorn Urscherler L, 2023, 'Editorial - Special Issue on Comparative Migration Law: Methods, Debates and New Frontiers', International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, 7, pp. 107 - 113, https://www.inderscience.com/info/inarticletoc.php?jcode=ijmbs&year=2023&vol=7&issue=2
Ghezelbash D; Dorostkar K, 2023, 'Understanding the Politics of Refugee Law and Policy Making: Interdisciplinary and Empirical Approaches', Journal of Refugee Studies, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jrs/fead039
Ghezelbash D, 2022, 'Technology and countersurveillance: holding governments accountable for refugee externalization policies', Globalizations, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14747731.2022.2051274
Ghezelbash D; Dorostkar K; Walsh S, 2022, 'A DATA DRIVEN APPROACH TO EVALUATING AND IMPROVING JUDICIAL DECISION-MAKING: STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE JUDICIAL REVIEW OF REFUGEE CASES IN AUSTRALIA', University of New South Wales Law Journal, 45, pp. 1085 - 1123
Ghezelbash D; Dorostkar K; Walsh S, 2022, 'A Data Driven Approach to Evaluating and Improving Judicial Decision-Making: Statistical Analysis of the Judicial Review of Refugee Cases in Australia', University of New South Wales Law Journal, 45, http://dx.doi.org/10.53637/tcnq8226
Jefferies R; Ghezelbash D; Hirsch A, 2021, 'ASSESSING REFUGEE PROTECTION CLAIMS AT AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS: THE GAP BETWEEN LAW, POLICY, AND PRACTICE', Melbourne University Law Review, 44, pp. 162 - 211
Dastyari A; Ghezelbash D, 2021, 'Asylum at sea: The legality of shipboard refugee status determination procedures', International Journal of Refugee Law, 32, pp. 1 - 27, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/IJRL/EEZ046
Jefferies R; Ghezelbash D; Hirsch A, 2020, 'Assessing Refugee Protection Claims at Australian Airports: The Gap Between Law, Policy, and Practice', MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW, 44, pp. 162 - 211, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3746085
Ghezelbash D, 2020, 'Hyper-Legalism and Obfuscation: How States Evade Their International Obligations towards Refugees', American Journal of Comparative Law, 68, pp. 479 - 516, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcl/avaa019
Ghezelbash D; Feith Tan N, 2020, 'The End of the Right to Seek Asylum? COVID-19 and the Future of Refugee Protection', International Journal of Refugee Law, 32, pp. 668 - 679, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ijrl/eeab002
Newhouse G; Ghezelbash D; Whittaker A, 2020, 'The Experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Participants in Australia’s Coronial Inquest System: Reflections from the Front Line', International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, 9, pp. 76 - 89, http://dx.doi.org/10.5204/IJCJSD.1691
Moreno-Lax V; Ghezelbash D; Klein N, 2019, 'Between life, security and rights: Framing the interdiction of 'boat migrants' in the central mediterranean and Australia', Leiden Journal of International Law, 32, pp. 715 - 740, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0922156519000451
Ghezelbash D; Moreno-Lax V; Klein N; Opeskin B, 2018, 'Securitization of Search and Rescue at Sea: The Response to Boat Migration in the Mediterranean and Offshore Australia', International & Comparative Law Quarterly, 67, pp. 315 - 351, https://browzine.com/libraries/757/journals/19181/issues/244929442?showArticleInContext=doi:10.1017%2FS0020589317000562
Ghezelbash D, 2017, 'LEGAL TRANSFERS of RESTRICTIVE IMMIGRATION LAWS: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE', International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 66, pp. 235 - 255, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0020589316000373
Opeskin B; Ghezelbash D, 2016, 'Australian Refugee Policy and its Impacts on Pacific Island Countries', The Journal of Pacific Studies, 36, pp. 73 - 89, http://dx.doi.org/10.33318/jpacs.2016.36(1)-5
Ghezelbash D, 2014, 'Forces of diffusion: what drives the transfer of immigration policy and law across jurisdictions?', International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, 1, pp. 139 - 139, http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/ijmbs.2014.066306
Crock M; Ghezelbash D, 2011, 'Due process and rule of law as human rights: The High Court and the "offshore" processing of asylum seekers', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, 18, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000213674600004&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
Crock M; Ghezelbash D, 2010, 'Do loose lips bring ships? The role of policy, politics and human rights in managing unauthorised boat arrivals', Griffith Law Review, 19, pp. 238 - 287, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10383441.2010.10854676
Reports
Ghezelbash D; Dorostkar K; Bridle M, 2024, Submission to the Inquiry into the Administrative Review Tribunal Bill 2023 (ART Bill) and the Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No.1) Bill 2023 (Consequential and Transitional Bill), https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=b68d6e82-e58f-42f6-8837-d2288a2caded&subId=752136
McAdam J; Ghezelbash D; Gleeson M; Harley T, 2023, Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights inquiry into Australia's human rights framework, https://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/sites/kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/files/Submission_Inquiry_Australia_Human_Rights_Framework_June_2023.pdf
Ghezelbash D; Dorostkar K; Bridle M, 2023, Submission to the Attorney-General’s Department responding to the Administrative Review Reform: Issues Paper, https://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/sites/kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/files/Submission_Administrative_Review_Reform.pdf
Hirsch A; Ghezelbash D; Dorostkar K; Walsh S, 2022, Submission to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry: The performance and integrity of Australia’s administrative review system, https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2021-AAT-Inquiry-RCOA.pdf
Gleeson M; Ghezelbash D; Pillai S, 2022, Torture and cruel treatment in Australia’s refugee protection and immigration detention regimes: Submission to the UN Committee Against Torture’s sixth periodic review of Australia, https://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/sites/kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/files/20221003_HRLC_RCOA_Kaldor_Centre_Submission_Committee_Against_Torture.pdf
Ghezelbash D; Wodak S; Ross R; Dutta-Powell R; Gallagher R, 2021, Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission Review of Judicial Impartiality, https://www.alrc.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/29.-Macquarie-University-Behavioural-Insights-Team-Public.pdf
Other
McAdam J; Ghezelbash D; Gleeson M; Harley T, 2024, Submission No 11 to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Migration Amendment (Removals and Other Measures) Bill 2024, https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=8b212e6c-9d87-4966-bf48-64f157fa446d&subId=754147
McAdam J; Ghezelbash D; Gleeson M; Harley T, 2024, Kaldor Centre statement on new migration bill, https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2024/03/Kaldor-Centre-statement-deportation-bill
McAdam J; Ghezelbash D; Gleeson M; Harley T, 2024, Written evidence to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Response to Questions on Notice from Senator Paul Scarr, https://www.unsw.edu.au/content/dam/pdfs/law/kaldor/resources/2024-04-submission/2024-04-answers-to-questions-on-notice-senator-paul-scarr-migration-amendment-removal-and-other-measures-Bill.pdf
Book Chapters
Crock M; Ghezelbash D; Reich S; Stevens R, 2022, 'Selective Generosity: Migration Law and Policy in Australia', in Ius Comparatum - Global Studies in Comparative Law, Springer International Publishing, pp. 99 - 139, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99508-3_2
Ghezelbash D, 2022, 'Australia’s boat push-back policy: Hyper-legalism and obfuscation in action', in Refugee Externalisation Policies: Responsibility, Legitimacy and Accountability, pp. 69 - 83, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003167273-6
Ghezelbash D, 2021, 'Fast-track, accelerated, and expedited asylum procedures as a tool of exclusion', in Research Handbook on the Law and Politics of Migration, pp. 248 - 261
Ghezelbash D, 2018, 'The rise and rise of mandatory immigration detention', in Protecting Migrant Children: In Search of Best Practice, pp. 420 - 436
Crock M; Ghezelbash D, 2016, 'Secret immigration business: Policy transfers and the tyranny of deterrence theory', in The Ashgate Research Companion to Migration Law, Theory and Policy, pp. 617 - 638, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315613239
Ghezelbash D, 2015, 'Lessons in exclusion: Interdiction and extraterritorial processing of asylum seekers in the United States and Australia', in Exploring the Boundaries of Refugee Law: Current Protection Challenges, pp. 90 - 117, http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/9789004265585_006
Ghezelbash D, 2015, 'Lessons in Exclusion: Interdiction and Extraterritorial Processing of Asylum Seekers in the United States and Australia', in International Refugee Law Series, pp. 90 - 117, http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/9789004265585_006
Crock M; Ghezelbash D, 2013, 'Secret immigration business: Policy transfers and the tyranny of deterrence theory', in The Ashgate Research Companion to Migration Law, Theory and Policy, pp. 617 - 637
Books
Crock M; Bones K; Ghezelbash D; Hollands J; Kenny MA, 2020, Children and Young People in Asylum and Refugee Processes Towards Best Practice
Ghezelbash D, 2018, Refuge lost: Asylum law in an interdependent world, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9781108349031
Conference Proceedings (Editor of)
Ghezelbash D; Viennet C; Hinterberger KF; Heckendorn Urscheler L, (eds.), 2019, 'Special Issue on: Comparative Migration Law: Methods, Debates and New Frontiers', International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, Lausanne, Switzerland, Vol. 7, presented at Comparative Migration Law: Methods, Debates and New Frontiers, Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, Lausanne, Switzerland, 04 December 2019, http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJMBS.2023.129795
Preprints
Ghezelbash D; Dorostkar K; Walsh S, A Data Driven Approach to Evaluating and Improving Judicial Decision-Making: Statistical Analysis of the Judicial Review of Refugee Cases, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4179044
Ghezelbash D; Feith Tan N, The End of the Right to Seek Asylum? COVID-19 and the Future of Refugee Protection, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3689093
Ghezelbash D, Technology and Countersurveillance: Holding Governments Accountable for Refugee Externalisation Policies, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4420423