UNSW legal expert awarded prestigious Gerda Henkel Prize

Scientia Professor Jane McAdam AO was recognised for her pioneering research on climate-related displacement.

UNSW Sydney Scientia Professor Jane McAdam has been awarded the 2026 Gerda Henkel Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards in the humanities and social sciences.

Prof. McAdam, a leading global expert on international refugee law and forced migration, has been recognised for her groundbreaking scholarship on displacement, including in the context of climate change and disasters. 

In announcing the award, the prize jury commended Prof. McAdam’s “pioneering research work” , noting that she has “historically reconstructed the history of disaster-related displacement and relocation, analysed how these were addressed in legal terms, and exposed systematic gaps in current law.”  Her work has helped establish the study of climate-related displacement as a distinct and influential field within international law.

Prof. McAdam was the Founding Director of the Kaldor Centre, where she now leads the Evacuations Research Hub as an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow. 

The Prize is awarded every two years by the Gerda Henkel Foundation. Prof. McAdam will receive the Prize at a ceremony in Düsseldorf on 23 November 2026, when she will deliver an oration.

Professor Andrew Lynch, Dean of UNSW Law & Justice, said: “This distinguished international award recognises the profound impact of Professor McAdam's scholarship and leadership over many years. Her work demonstrates how legal research can inform public policy, influence international practice and advance human dignity. Jane has long been a standard-bearer for excellence at UNSW Law & Justice, and we are delighted to see her receive this outstanding global recognition.” 

The Kaldor Centre’s Director, Professor Daniel Ghezelbash, also congratulated Prof. McAdams.

“Jane McAdam is one of the world’s leading voices on refugee and forced migration law,”  he said. “This award recognises not only her outstanding scholarship, but also the profound impact her work has had on law, policy and practice globally, including through her vision and leadership in founding the Kaldor Centre. We are incredibly proud to have her as a colleague at the Kaldor Centre and warmly congratulate her on this honour.” 

Advancing understanding of displacement and protection

Prof. McAdam’s research is driven by a central question: how do we ensure that people at risk of persecution and other serious harm are able to access legal protection and live in safety and dignity? Her work spans international refugee and human rights law, as well as disaster law, climate law and humanitarian law, and engages with insights from history, geography and psychology.

She currently holds a five-year Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship examining evacuations as a form of displacement. Her research highlights that while evacuations can save lives, they may also create new and ongoing risks, underscoring the need for careful legal and policy responses.

Recognising the importance of history

Responding to the award, Prof. McAdam emphasised the significance of historical perspectives in addressing contemporary challenges:

“This award – and the wider work of the Gerda Henkel Foundation – are a testament to the importance of history in illuminating thorny issues of contemporary research, policy and practice.”

Her scholarship has been instrumental in re-evaluating established assumptions in international refugee law and situating current debates within a longer historical context.

Addressing urgent global challenges

Prof. McAdam’s Gerda Henkel Prize is awarded at a time of significant global displacement driven by conflict, climate change and inequality, alongside growing restrictions on access to asylum.

She highlighted the urgent need for principled leadership and public understanding.

“We have robust legal frameworks to protect refugees, but we lack strong, principled political leadership to ensure it happens in practice,” she said.

“Populist political movements, xenophobia and disinformation campaigns undermine public support for refugees and other displaced people, often leading to restrictive laws and policies that either violate international law directly, or exploit the grey areas.”

Noting this month’s 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, she added: “Building awareness and understanding is crucial. Part of this means remembering the consequences of past displacement, and appreciating why human rights treaties and the Refugee Convention were created in the first place. The foundational principles of international refugee law remain timeless.”

Prof. McAdam has worked closely with international organisations, including the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), for more than two decades, contributing to policy development, research and strategic initiatives. Her scholarship and engagement have had a significant impact on law, policy and practice worldwide.