A new co-edited book with contributions from several ANU Law scholars examines the relationship between law and artificial intelligence (AI), and explores the need for law-based regulation of AI.
Associate Professor Philippa Ryan
Honorary Associate Professor
BA, LLB(Hons), Master Ed, PhD(Law)
ANU College of Law, Bld 7, Fellows Rd, Acton ACT 2600
ANU College of Law, 5 Fellows Rd, Acton ACT 2600
Research Themes
Research Centre
Biography
Philippa (Pip) Ryan is a barrister and associate professor at the ANU College of Law, where she is the Director of the ANU LLM program. She is a member of the Treasury Audit Committee and in her role on the Standards Australia blockchain technical committee, she is the lead author of the international standards for smart contracts. Pip is a non-executive director on the board of Australian law firm, Lander & Rogers and she is on the editorial board of Stanford's Journal of Blockchain Law and Policy.
Pip’s current research explores the automation of trust, the accountability of algorithms, and the creeping tendency of regulators in developed economies to blame professionals, service providers and financial institutions for the sins of their employees, customers and strangers. In 2018, she was the first Australian recipient of the American Bar Association’s Legal Rebel Award. Pip co-authored Van Rijmenam and Ryan, Blockchain: Transforming Your Business and Our World (Routledge 2019). Her most recent title is Trust and Distrust in Digital Economies (Routledge 2020).
Appointments
- Member, Treasury Audit Committee
- Non-executive director, Lander & Rogers
- Non-executive director, WAM Capital
- Chair, Standards Australia Blockchain Technical Committee Smart Contracts Working Group
- Editorial Board of the Stanford Journal of Blockchain Law & Policy
- Academic Advisor, ANU Journal of Law and Technology
Significant research publications
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PA Ryan, Trust and Distrust in Digital Economies (Routledge, 2020)
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M Van Rijmenam and PA Ryan, Blockchain: Transforming Your Business and Our World (Routledge, 2019)
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PA Ryan, ‘Exploring the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Law Students’ Self- Assessments’ in The Future of Australian Legal Education (ThomsonReuters, 2018)
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PA Ryan, ‘Smart Contract Relations in eCommerce ' (2017) 7.10 Technology Innovation Management Review 10
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PA Ryan, 'Examining breaches of fiduciary duty by solicitors in commercial arrangements' (2016) 31 Australian Journal of Corporate Law 209
Recent news
09
Feb
2022
2021 University Medallist, Robyn Lewis (BPolPhilEc '19, LLB (Hons) '21), initially decided to study law because she wanted to make a difference in the world and “liked an argument”.
15
Sep
2020
During ANU Virtual Open Week 2020. staff and students answered your most frequently asked questions.
14
Mar
2020
Does the world’s first international e-mooting competition, recently won by ANU students, offer a glimpse of the future of legal education?
In the Media
8
Dec
2021
Philippa Ryan speaks to SBS News
Past events
07
Oct
2021
5.30PM to 7.00PM Webinar
Join Bruce Cahan (Stanford University School of Engineering), Dr Cassandra Steer (ANU College of Law), Dr Damian Clifford (ANU College of Law) and Dr Pip Ryan (ANU College of Law) in this panel discussion.
29
Jul
2021
5.30PM to 7.00PM Webinar
Join The Hon Justice Monika Schmidt AM (Supreme Court of New South Wales), Jonathan Harley (Canva), Dr Mark Staples (CSIRO’s Data61) and Dr Pip Ryan (ANU College of Law) in this panel discussion on the nature of truth and the role it plays in different contexts.
12
Jul
2021
12.00PM to 1.00PM Careers
The ANU JIM program enables and supports Jobs, Internships and Mentoring for students enrolled at ANU College of Law. Join us in this session as we meet prospective employers from regional areas.
10
Mar
2020
12.30PM to 1.30PM Careers seminar
Join Dermot Ryan SC and Dr Pip Ryan at this lunchtime career seminar that discusses useful information and tips into becoming a barrister.
Research biography
Dr Ryan's research explores the intersection of private law and technology. Her particular focus is on breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty and accountability in developed economies, including the liability of third parties, professional advisors and banks. Dr Ryan, doctoral thesis re-classified the liability of third parties for breach of trust or breach of fiduciary duty. She has also conducted empirical studies to explore the use of artificial intelligence and natural language processing to improve student self-assessments. She has developed an online course that teaches law students and legal professionals how to develop legal apps.
Research projects & collaborations
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A Lane and PA Ryan, Regulation and Accountability in Digital Business (Routledge, 2021)
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PA Ryan, ‘Third party liability for the misuse of personal data and digital assets’ in [Title tbc - a collaboration between the ANU College of Law and Singapore Management University Law School] (Edward Elgar, 2021)
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PA Ryan, ‘Accountability of algorithms in Trusts and Modern Wealth Management’ in [Title tbc - based on a selection of papers presented at Singapore National University's 2019 Trusts and Modern Wealth Management conference] (Cambridge University Press, 2021)
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With Neota Logic, developing law school and CPD courses to teach legal apps development online
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Co-researcher in a grant application led by the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation at the Australian National University: legal risks associated with the use of new technologies to detect and extinguish bushfires started by lightning strike.
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In collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney Connected Intelligence Centre, Law Essay Self Assessment (LESA) Project (ETH16-0285) - exploring the use of AI and Natural Language Processing to provide law students with a discourse analysis app that will improve their capacity to self-assess the qualilty of their law essays.
Grants
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Led by Dr James Prest, (2019) Renewable Gas Industry Engagement Research Grant ($25,000) - Exploring the use of new technologies (blockchains and smart contracts) to automate trust and support decentralisation and democratisation of resources and infrastructure projects for social and environmental good.
Books & edited collections
- PA Ryan, Trust and Distrust in Digital Economies (Routledge, 2020)
- M Van Rijmenam and PA Ryan, Blockchain: Transforming Your Business and Our World (Routledge, 2019)
Refereed journal articles
- J Horner and P Ryan, ‘Blockchain standards and sustainable development’ (2019) 7.3 Journal of ICT Standardisation 225
- PA Ryan, ‘Smart Contract Relations in eCommerce' (2017) 7.10 Technology Innovation Management Review 10
- PA Ryan, ‘Examining breaches of fiduciary duty by solicitors in commercial arrangements’ (2016) 31 Australian Journal of Corporate Law 209
- PA Ryan, 'Teaching collaborative problem-solving skills to law students' (2016) 51.2 The Law Teacher 138
- PA Ryan & M Evers, 'As barristers embrace technology, it is a brave new world for their clerks' (2016) 42 Australian Bar Review 350
- M Evers & PA Ryan 'Exploring e-Court innovations in New South Wales Civil Courts' (2016) 5.1 Journal of Civil Litigation and Practice 65
Book chapters
- PA Ryan, ‘Exploring the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Law Students’ Self- Assessments’ in The Future of Australian Legal Education (ThomsonReuters, 2018)
Conference papers & presentations
- April 2019 - Presented, Harvard Law School's Inaugural Technology Law Festival
- August 2018 - Facilitator, Blockchain Workshop, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Canberra
- July 2018 - Facilitator, Blockchain Workshop, Ernst & Young, Sydney
- May 2018 - Facilitator, Blockchain Workshop, Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA), Sydney – with Dr Mark Staples (Data61)
- 2017 - A Shibani, M Xavier, Knight, S Buckingham Shum, P Ryan, ‘Design and Implementation of a Pedagogic Intervention Using Writing Analytics’ (2017) 25th International Conference on Computers in Education, New Zealand
- 2016 - Buckingham Shum, S, Knight, S, Gibson, AP, Ryan, P & Aitken, A 2016, 'Writing Analytics to Improve Formative Feedback'.
- 2016 - Gibson, A, Knight, S, Aitken, A, Buckingham Shum, S, Ryan, P, Jarvis, W, Nikolova, N, Tsingos-Lucas, C, Parr, A, White, A & Sutton, N, 'Using Writing Analytics For Formative Feedback'.
- 2016 - Gibson, A, Knight, S, Aitken, A, Buckingham Shum, S, Ryan, P, Jarvis, W, Nikolova, N, Tsingos-Lucas, C, Parr, A, White, A, Sutton, N & Tsingos-Lucas, C, 'Using Writing Analytics For Formative Feedback'.
Committees
- Member, Treasury Audit Committee
- Chair, Standards Australia Blockchain Technical Committee (Smart Contracts Working Group)
- Editorial Board, Stanford Journal of Blockchain Law & Policy
- Academic Advisor, NU Journal of Law & Technology
Case notes & book reviews
- PA Ryan, review in Law Society of NSW Journal of 'N McWilliam, Court-Referred Alternative Dispute Resolution: Perceptions of Members of the Judiciary' (2018) 42 LSJ 90
Other
- Guest Editor – Special Issue: Blockchain Standards (2019) 7.3 Journal of ICT Standardisation
Radio and The Conversation
- PA Ryan, 'Don't blame Bitcoin for the madness of men', The Conversation (31 March 2016) - https://theconversation.com/dont-blame-bitcoin-for-the-madness-of-men-56667
- PA Ryan, ‘Demystifying the blockchain: a basic user guide’, The Conversation (13 July 2016) - https://theconversation.com/demystifying-the-blockchain-a-basic-user-gui...
- PA Ryan, 'What's holding up the blockchain?' The Conversation (9 June 2017) - https://theconversation.com/whats-holding-up-the-blockchain-79038
- PA Ryan, 'Australian regulators have finally made a move on initial coin offerings', The Conversation (29 Sep 2017) - https://theconversation.com/australian-regulators-have-finally-made-a-mo...
- PA Ryan, 'What the Coincheck hack tells us about how Australian regulators will handle a cryptocurrency hack' The Conversation (30 Jan 2018) - https://theconversation.com/what-the-coincheck-hack-tells-us-about-how-a...
- J Henderson interview with PA Ryan, ‘ASIC tries to prevent fintech startups from becoming scammers’ (22 June 2016) Business Briefing, The Conversation - https://theconversation.com/business-briefing-asic-tries-to-prevent-fint...
- Tom Tilley interview with PA Ryan, ‘Bitcoin safety, busting pimps with an app, and the future of space tourism’ (11 April 2016) Hack, Triple J Radio - http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/hack/7302386
- Jake Sturmer, Alison McClymont interview with PA Ryan, ‘Bitcoin investors owed thousands by struggling Australian exchange’ (11 April 2016) 7:30 Report, ABC TV - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-11/australian-bitcoin-exchange-igot-o...
- Mitch Byatt interview with PA Ryan, ‘Rock the Block(chain)!’ (18 Nov 2015) The Wire, 2SER Radio - http://www.2ser.com/component/k2/item/19086-rock-the-block-chain
International Standards Organisation - Blockchain Technical Committee
- Nov 2019 - Australia's Head of Delegation, ISO TC-307 Blockchain Technical Committee 6th International Plenary, Hyderabad
- May 2019 - Australia's Head of Delegation, ISO TC-307 Blockchain Technical Committee 5th International Plenary, Dublin
- Sep 2018 - Addressed the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 64th Session, Geneva (to provide an outlines as to how blockchain technology might help address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action)
- Sep 2018 - Presented to the International Standards Organisation (ISO) General Assembly, Geneva (to provide a Progress Report on the work of the ISO Blockchain Technical Committee)
- May 2018 - Delegate and presenter, ISO TC-307 Blockchain Technical Committee 3rd International Plenary, London
- Nov 2017 - Australia's Head of Delegation, ISO TC-307 Blockchain Technical Committee 2nd International Plenary, Tokyo
- Sep 2017 - Australian Delegate to AUSTRADE's Blockchain mission to Shanghai
- March 2017 - Delegate, ISO TC-307 Blockchain Technical Committee 1st International Plenary, Sydney
PhD supervision
Current
J Hogan, Artificial Intelligence and the Law (University of Technology Sydney), with Prof David Lindsay (main supervisor)
Honours thesis supervision
Australian National University
- 2020 - A Vos, The role of administrative law in data protection
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2019 - X Shi, Do core developers owe fiduciary duty to users of blockchain platforms
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2019 - E Suliman, An examination of noncompliance by Australian Banking Institution of the breach reporting obligations under the Corporations Act (Cth)
University of Technology Sydney
- 2018 - Z McLoughlin, The Other Side of the Coin: Assessing the Fiduciary Liability of Custodial Cryptocurrency Intermediaries
- 2018 - K Hart, Directors need to take into account climate change risks to avoid liability for breach of directors’ duties arising from a failure to become informed about, consider or disclose risks to the company caused by climate change
- 2017 - J Ng, Publicness by name or number: How equity crowdfunding is challenging corporate law
- 2017 - J Thompson, Fiduciary duties: a modern day dichotomy
- 2017 - L Bernhardt, Exploring the use of blockchain technology as a source of truth in commercial litigation
- 2017 - C Yong, The value of blockchain-based smart contracts in contemporary litigation
- 2016 - Z Elliott, The duty of the state: fiduciary protections for refugees and asylum seekers
- 2016 - O Newling, Innovation versus governance: where to from here for the blockchain?
- 2015 - C Lam, Barnes v Addy and the Complications Surrounding Knowing Assistance: A Comparative Analysis of the Australian and United Kingdom Approaches
- 2015 - R Zanetic, “Dishonest and fraudulent design” as articulated in Hasler v Singtel Optus (2014): a recent insight
- 2014 - J Ly, The Legal Practitioner at Mediation: A Tale of Interprofessionalism and Psychology
- 2014 - A Yang, The Role of the Apology in Mediation
Current courses
| Year | Course code | Course name |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 |
LAWS8077 Class #3529 |
Cyber Law |
| 2023 |
LAWS8407 Class #4567 |
Digital Economies and the Law |
Previous courses
| Year | Course code | Course name |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 |
LAWS8077 Class #3553 |
Cyber Law |
| 2021 |
LAWS8407 Class #4629 |
Digital Economies and the Law |
| 2021 |
LAWS8408 Class #3549 |
Legal App Development |
| 2021 |
LAWS8410 Class #7726 |
Start-Ups Law Lab |
| 2021 |
LAWS8407 Class #1570 |
Digital Economies and the Law |
Philosophy & approach
It is my belief that good quality higher education teaching provides different types of learning experiences with opportunities for timely constructive feedback and formative assessment.
Past courses
- Equity & Trusts (ANU College of Law)
- Litigation and Dispute Management (ANU College of Law)
- Equity & Trusts (UTS Faculty of Law)
- Civil Practice (UTS Faculty of Law)
- Commercial Equity (UTS Faculty of Law)
- Disruptive Technologies and the Law (UTS Faculty of Law)
- Technology Law Policy and Ethics (UTS Faculty of Law)
- Master of Data Science and Innovation (UTS)
- Equity (Sydney Law School)
