Associate Professor Rob Nicholls
Associate Professor

Associate Professor Rob Nicholls

BSc(Hons) Birmingham

MA UNSW

PhD UNSW

Business School
School of Management and Governance

I am an associate professor in regulation and governance at the UNSW Business School and a visiting professional fellow at UTS Sydney Law. My research interests focus on competition policy, the regulation of networked industries and the financial services sector with an emphasis on the effects of technology in the regulatory space.

I have had a thirty-year career concentrating on competition, regulation and governance. My first degree was in electronics and communications engineering from the University of Birmingham and I was awarded my PhD and MA by UNSW Sydney.

Before moving to academia, I worked for Webb Henderson, the ACCC and spent twelve years as a client-facing consultant at Gilbert + Tobin, including as a partner. I am an accredited mediator and from 2012 to 2020 was Australia’s Independent Telecommunications Adjudicator.

Mobile
+61 4 1264 6477
Phone
+61 4 1264 6477
Location
Room 508 Business UNSW Business School
  • Book Chapters | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'Platforms, Privacy and Antitrust: Analysing the Australian Digital Platforms Inquiry', in Viscasillas PP; Martín-Laborda AR (ed.), The Digital Economy: Regulatory, Contractual and Competition Aspects, Tirant lo Blanch, Valencia, Spain, pp. 51 - 76, https://editorial.tirant.com/es/ebook/the-digital-economy-regulatory-contractual-and-competition-aspects-lastiri-santiago-monica-9788413559285
    Book Chapters | 2020
    Nicholls R; Garcia Garcia S; Barclay K, 2020, 'The Multiple Meanings of Fish: Policy Disconnections Australian Seafood Governance', in Probyn E; Johnston K; Lee N (ed.), Sustaining Seas Oceanic Space and the Politics of Care, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, pp. 75 - 86
    Book Chapters | 2020
    Nicholls R, 2020, 'Algorithm-Driven Collusive Conduct', in Healey D; Jacobs M; Smith R (ed.), Research Handbook on Methods and Models of Competition Law, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, England, pp. 138 - 166
    Book Chapters | 2015
    Nicholls R, 2015, 'The National Broadband Network', in Menadue J; Keating M (ed.), Fairness, Opportunity and Security: Filling the Policy Vacuum, pp. 239 - 248
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Nicholls RJ, 2014, 'Broadcasting Regulation', in Griffen-Foley B (ed.), A Companion to the Australian Media, Australian Scholarly Publishing, North Melbourne, Victoria, http://www.scholarly.info/media/
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Nicholls RJ, 2014, 'Telstra', in Griffen-Foley B (ed.), A Companion to the Australian Media, Australian Scholarly Publishing, North Melbourne, Victoria, pp. 469 - 470, http://www.scholarly.info/media/
    Book Chapters | 2010
    Nicholls R, 2010, 'Chapter 8: For What it’s Worth: Cost Benefit Analysis of the use of Interception and Access in Australia', in Bronnitt S; Harfield C; Michael K (ed.), The Implications of Covert Policing: The Fourth Workshop on the Social Implications of National Security, 2009-, University of Wollongong Press, the Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention, Faculty of Law, Wollongong, Australia, pp. 63 - 77
    Book Chapters | 2007
    Nicholls R; Rowland M, 2007, 'Chapter 7. Message in a Bottle: Stored Communications Interception as Practised in Australia', in Michael K; Michael M (ed.), The Second Workshop on the Social Implications of National Security (from Dataveillance to Uberveillance and the Realpolitik of the Transparent Society), University of Wollongong, IP Location-Based Services Research Program (Faculty of Informatics) and Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention (Faculty of Law), Wollongong, Australia, pp. 83 - 96
  • Journal articles | 2022
    Kyle S; Nicholls R, 2022, 'Complaints Management in Australian Universities: Effectiveness, Reliability, and Recommendations for Improvement', The Arbitrator and Mediator, pp. 27 - 37, https://www.resolution.institute/resources/journal-articles/the-arbitrator-and-mediator-july-2022?utm_source=informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Mediation%20ADR%20Adjudication%20Arbitration%20Restorative%20Family%20Dispute%20Training&_zs=s1mIm&_zl=eIgG2
    Journal articles | 2022
    Nicholls R, 2022, 'Informed Consent to Online Standard Form Agreements', Global Privacy Law Review, 3, pp. 163 - 176
    Journal articles | 2022
    Nicholls R, 2022, 'Reform in Australia: A Focus on Informed Consent', Global Privacy Law Review, 3, pp. 177 - 189
    Journal articles | 2021
    Garcia Garcia S; Barclay K; Nicholls R, 2021, 'Can anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing trade measures spread internationally? Case study of Australia', Ocean & Coastal Management, 202, pp. 105494, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105494
    Journal articles | 2021
    Garcia SG; Barclay K; Nicholls R, 2021, 'Can anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing trade measures spread internationally? Case study of Australia', Ocean and Coastal Management, 202, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105494
    Journal articles | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'Merger Movements: International Coordination of Merger Clearance Policy', Australian Business Law Review, 49, pp. 145 - 145, https://anzlaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I14315ef311b711ecae8d91026967941e/View/FullText.html?comp=wlau&transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29
    Journal articles | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'Regtech as an Antitrust Enforcement Tool', Journal of Antitrust Enforcement, 9, pp. 135 - 151, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jaenfo/jnaa011
    Journal articles | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'Valuing News: The Australian News Media Bargaining Code', Intermedia -London-, https://www.iicom.org/intermedia/vol-49-issue-2/valuing-news-the-australian-newsmedia-bargaining-code/
    Journal articles | 2020
    Buchan J; Nicholls R, 2020, 'The challenges of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic for Australia’s franchise sector', Australian Business Law Review, 48, pp. 126 - 137, https://www-westlaw-com-au.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/maf/wlau/app/document?docguid=I8c9ae703c1fd11eab306d55769e1257b&tocDs=AUNZ_AU_JOURNALS_TOC&isTocNav=true&startChunk=1&endChunk=1
    Journal articles | 2020
    Kayis D; Nicholls R, 2020, 'When the carrot resembles a stick: The exclusion of concerted practices from the ACCC’s revised immunity policy', Competition and Consumer Law Journal, 27, pp. 187 - 210, https://primoa.library.unsw.edu.au/permalink/f/jhud33/UNSW_ALMA61221415540001731
    Journal articles | 2020
    Nicholls R, 2020, 'Limiting Access, Limited Blocking: Evidence and Practice in s 115A Injunctions.', Australian Intellectual Property Journal, 30, pp. 114 - 128, https://www-westlaw-com-au.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/maf/wlau/app/document?docguid=I0d60131168de11ea9e45f68329176fe2&tocDs=AUNZ_AU_JOURNALS_TOC&isTocNav=true&startChunk=1&endChunk=1
    Journal articles | 2020
    Nicholls R, 2020, 'When Code is Law: Bargains Between News Publishers and Platforms', Competition Policy International, https://www.competitionpolicyinternational.com/when-code-is-law-bargains-between-news-publishers-and-platforms/
    Journal articles | 2019
    Nicholls R; Kayis D, 2019, 'Common corporate owners, concerted corporate actions?', Australian Journal of Corporate Law, 34, pp. 202 - 229
    Journal articles | 2019
    Nicholls R, 2019, 'Bank Customer Switching: Scandals and Fintech', The European Financial Review, https://www.europeanfinancialreview.com/bank-customer-switching-scandals-and-fintech/
    Journal articles | 2019
    Journal articles | 2018
    Nicholls R; Fisse B, 2018, 'Concerted Practices and Algorithmic Coordination: Does the New Australian Law Compute?', Competition and Consumer Law Journal
    Journal articles | 2018
    Nicholls R, 2018, 'META-REGULATION IN PRACTICE: BEYOND NORMATIVE VIEWS OF MORALITY AND RATIONALITY', AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS LAW REVIEW, 46, pp. 213 - 214, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000446533300006&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Journal articles | 2018
    Nicholls R, 2018, 'Making the dual model work: Competitive neutrality and net neutrality issues facing the Australian Broadcasting Corporation', Competition and Consumer Law Journal, 25, pp. 301 - 314, https://advance.lexis.com/document/?pdmfid=1201008&crid=c572ae86-b562-4368-9983-e93f4840d70d&pddocfullpath=/shared/document/analytical-materials-au/urn:contentItem:5RYY-G381-JNY7-X1TX-00000-00&pdtocnodeidentifier=AABAABAAC&ecomp=4fwhk&prid=381
    Journal articles | 2018
    Nicholls R, 2018, 'Removal of Merits Review in Australian Electricity Regulation', Transportation, Energy, and Antitrust: The Journal of the Transportation and Energy Industries Committee of tne ANtitrust section of the American Bar Association, pp. 8 - 14
    Journal articles | 2017
    Buchan JM; Nicholls R, 2017, 'Flipping Out: Flip Clauses are Enforceable in the United States Again!', Company and Securities Law Journal, 35, pp. 65 - 69
    Journal articles | 2017
    Healey D; Nicholls RJ, 2017, 'Enhancing Competition: Challenges for Australian Retail Banking', Journal of Banking and Finance: Law and Practice, 28, pp. 48 - 71
    Journal articles | 2017
    Michael K; Michael MG; Galliot JC; Nicholls R, 2017, 'Socio-Ethical Implications of Implantable Technologies in the Military Sector', IEEE Technology and Society, 36, pp. 7 - 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MTS.2017.2670219
    Journal articles | 2017
    Morris C; Nicholls RJ, 2017, 'Do it once, get it right: Wholesale regulatory intervention in price and cost disclosure', Law and Financial Markets Review, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17521440.2017.1375217
    Journal articles | 2017
    Nicholls R; Buchan JM, 2017, 'The law of unintended consequences: The effects of voiding ipso facto clauses in business format franchise agreements', Australian Business Law Review, 45, pp. 433 - 447
    Journal articles | 2017
    Nicholls R, 2017, 'Network neutrality: From policy to law to regulation, Christopher T. Marsden. Manchester University Press, Manchester, UK (2017), 304, Paperback, £24.99, ISBN: 9781526105486', Telecommunications Policy, pp. 402 - 402, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2017.09.008
    Journal articles | 2017
    Nicholls R, 2017, 'Phishing for Phools: The Economics of Manipulation and Deception', JOURNAL OF MARKETING CHANNELS, 24, pp. 104 - 105, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1046669X.2017.1347008
    Journal articles | 2017
    Nicholls RJ; Cave M, 2017, 'The use of spectrum auctions to attain multiple objectives: Policy implications', Telecommunications Policy, 41, pp. 367 - 378, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2016.12.010
    Journal articles | 2017
    Nicholls RJ, 2017, 'Rights and Wrongs for Implanting Military RFID', IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, 36, pp. 48 - 51, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MTS.2017.2654288
    Journal articles | 2017
    Nicholls RJ, 2017, 'The Australian Telecommunications Regulatory Environment: An overview', Australian Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, 4, pp. 196 - 213, http://dx.doi.org/10.18080/ajtde.v4n4.76
    Journal articles | 2017
    Nicholls RJ, 2017, 'The Mediated City: The news in a post-industrial context, S. Coleman, N. Thumim, C. Birchall, J. Firmstone, G. Moss, K. Parry, J.G. Blumler Zed Books, London, UK (2016), (264 pages including notes, references and index Paperback, £18.99 ISBN: 9781783608171)', Telecommunications Policy, 41, pp. 154 - 155, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2017.01.001
    Journal articles | 2016
    Donald S; Bateman H; Buckley R; Liu K; Nicholls R, 2016, 'Too Connected to Fail: The Regulation of Systemic Risk within Australia's Superannuation System', Journal of Financial Regulation, 2, pp. 56 - 78, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jfr/fjv010
    Journal articles | 2016
    Healey DJ; Nicholls R, 2016, 'Should Stability Reign? The Consumer Downside of Foregone Competition in Retail Banking Markets', Banking and Finance Law Review, 32, pp. 69 - 101, http://www.unsworks.unsw.edu.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=UNSWORKS&docId=unsworks_modsunsworks_41966
    Journal articles | 2016
    Nicholls R; Buchan JM, 2016, 'Failing Firm, Failing Franchisor: Local Market Analysis in Australian Merger Clearance', Competition and Consumer Law Journal, 23, pp. 247 - 265, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308905090_Failing_firm_failing_franchisor_Local_market_analysis_in_Australian_merger_clearance
    Journal articles | 2016
    Nicholls RJ, 2016, 'A Primer on Auction Design, Management, and Strategy, David J. Salant. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA (2015), 184 pages including notes, references and index, Hardback, £24.95 ISBN: 9780262028264', Telecommunications Policy, 40, pp. 593 - 594, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2015.08.011
    Journal articles | 2016
    Nicholls RJ, 2016, 'Spectrum Management Issues for Heterogeneous Networks in Commons Spectrum', info, 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/info-02-2016-0010
    Journal articles | 2016
    Nicholls RJ, 2016, 'The Nature of Competition in Australian Retail Banking', Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal
    Journal articles | 2015
    Abbas R; Michael K; Michael M; Nicholls R, 2015, 'Key government agency perspectives on location based services regulation', Computer Law and Security Review, 31, pp. 736 - 748, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2015.08.004
    Journal articles | 2015
    Buchan JM; Frazer L; Qu CZ; Nicholls R, 2015, 'Franchisor Insolvency in Australia: Profiles, Factors, and Impacts', Journal of Marketing Channels, 22, pp. 311 - 332, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1046669X.2015.1113487
    Journal articles | 2015
    Donald SS; Nicholls R, 2015, 'Bank custodians and systemic risk in the Australian superannuation system', Journal of Banking and Finance: Law and Practice, 26, pp. 25 - 38, https://ssrn.com/abstract=2599409
    Journal articles | 2015
    Nicholls RJ, 2015, 'Media Economics, Stuart Cunningham, Terry Flew, Adam Swift. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK (2015), 192 pp. including notes, references and index Paperback, £19.99, ISBN: 9780230293229', Telecommunications Policy, 40, pp. 378 - 379, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2015.10.003
    Journal articles | 2014
    Nicholls R, 2014, 'Something to remember him by: Commissioner Joaquín Almunia's farewell gift', Law and Financial Markets Review, 8, pp. 315 - 317, http://dx.doi.org/10.5235/17521440.8.4.315
    Journal articles | 2014
    Nicholls R, 2014, 'Telecommunications: Structural separation, interconnection and access', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF COMPETITION AND CONSUMER LAW, 22, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000214632000007&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Journal articles | 2014
    Nicholls RJ; O'Brien J, 2014, 'Hanging together or hanging separately: Is competition law in the process of eclipsing financial regulation?', Law and Financial Markets Review, 8, pp. 178 - 184, http://dx.doi.org/10.5235/17521440.8.2.178
    Journal articles | 2014
    Nicholls RJ, 2014, 'Structural Separation, Interconnection and Access', Trade Practices Law Journal, 22, pp. 54 - 56, http://www.westlaw.com.au/maf/wlau/app/document?docguid=Iae4e7a6da34011e39f3ef83c25a5d2b7&tocDs=AUNZ_AU_JOURNALS_TOC&isTocNav=true&startChunk=1&endChunk=1
    Journal articles | 2013
    Abbas R; Michael K; Michael M; Nicholls R, 2013, 'Sketching and validating the location-based services (LBS) regulatory framework in Australia', Computer Law and Security Review, 29, pp. 576 - 589, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2013.07.014
    Journal articles | 2013
    Nicholls R, 2013, 'Review of The Political Economies of Media: The Transformation of the Global Media Industries by Dwayne Winseck and Dal Yong Jin', Telecommunications Policy, Forthcoming
    Journal articles | 2012
    Nicholls R, 2012, 'Cultural discontents: cultural protection in an internet world', Ericsson Business Review, 1, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237011557_Cultural_discontents_cultural_protection_in_an_internet_world
    Journal articles | 2012
    Nicholls RJ; Iglesias R; Travis A, 2012, 'Private Clouds with No Silver Lining: Legal Risk in Private Cloud Services', Communications & Strategies, 85, pp. 125 - 140, https://ssrn.com/abstract=2199442
    Journal articles | 2012
    Nicholls RJ, 2012, 'Right to Privacy: Interception and Access in Australia', IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, 31, pp. 42 - 49, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MTS.2012.2185274
    Journal articles | 2008
    Nicholls R; Rowland M, 2008, 'Regulating the use of telecommunications location data by Australian law enforcement agencies', Criminal Law Journal, 32, pp. 343 - 350, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237011542_Regulating_the_use_of_telecommunications_location_data_by_Australian_law_enforcement_agencies
    Journal articles | 2008
    Nicholls R, 2008, 'Axes of integration in the delivery of audiovisual services', Telecommunications Journal of Australia, 58, pp. 13.1 - 13.21
    Journal articles | 2007
    Nicholls R; Waters P, 2007, 'Fair Play or Foul: Digital Rights Management Challenges under Competition Law', King and Wood IP Bulletin, December, http://www.academia.edu/21812591/Fair_Play_or_Foul_Digital_Rights_Management_Challenges_under_Competition_Law
    Journal articles | 2007
    Nicholls RJ, 2007, 'Technological protection measures: mobile digital rights management', Copyright Reporter, 25, pp. 40 - 54
    Journal articles | 2005
    Nicholls R, 2005, 'Digital Rights Management in Television', Communications Law Bulletin, 24, pp. 11 - 13, http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/CommsLawB/2005/4.html
    Journal articles | 2002
    Jew B; Nicholls R; Alston N, 2002, 'Bandwidth after Enron and Global Crossing: new game – new rules?', Telemedia: the monthly newsletter on Australian telecommunications and media law
    Journal articles | 2002
    Jew B; Nicholls R, 2002, 'Bandwidth trading', Telemedia: the monthly newsletter on Australian telecommunications and media law
    Journal articles | 2002
    Jew B; Nicholls R, 2002, 'Rationalisation or technical evolution? The emergence of the ‘gatekeeper portal’', Telemedia: the monthly newsletter on Australian telecommunications and media law
    Journal articles | 2002
    Waters P; Jew B; Nicholls R, 2002, 'Getting a WiFi of 3G', Telemedia: the monthly newsletter on Australian telecommunications and media law
    Journal articles | 2001
    Jew B; Nicholls R, 2001, 'Who Owns The Customer? Does "ARPU" have any value in the seamless grid of broadband networks?', Telemedia: the monthly newsletter on Australian telecommunications and media law
    Journal articles | 2000
    Jew B; Nicholls R; Floro A, 2000, 'New Issues for Internet Interconnection', Telecommunications International, 34, pp. 67 - 72, http://www.academia.edu/21812624/New_Issues_for_Internet_Interconnection
    Journal articles | 2000
    Nicholls R; Lidgerwood C, 2000, 'Ministerial Determination gives pause for thought to high speed internet providers', Telemedia: the monthly newsletter on Australian telecommunications and media law, 4, pp. 96 - 97
    Journal articles | 1999
    Jew B; Reede M; Nicholls R, 1999, 'Connectivity on the Internet: open network provision or open competition?', Intermedia, 27, pp. 24 - 28, http://www.academia.edu/21812562/Connectivity_on_the_Internet_open_network_provision_or_open_competition
    Journal articles | 1999
    Nicholls R; Garlick M, 1999, 'Proxy caching – a new fair dealing?', Telemedia: the monthly newsletter on Australian telecommunications and media law
  • Working Papers | 2015
    Nicholls R; Donald S; Liu K, 2015, It's a Small World after All: Using Social Network Analysis to Investigate Systemic Risk in the Australian Superannuation Sector, http://dx.doi.org
    Working Papers | 2015
    Nicholls R; Evans C, 2015, The Nature of Competition in Australian Retail Banking, Centre for International Finance and Regulation, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org10.4225/50/583dffeead273, https://apo.org.au/node/67360
    Working Papers |
    Vezzoso S; Nicholls R, Decentralised Digital Ecosystems and Competition Law: A Conceptual Framework, Elsevier BV, http://dx.doi.org10.2139/ssrn.3484479, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3484479
  • Submissions to Government | 2023
    Bennett Moses L; Kemp K; Lee A; Manwaring K; Nicholls R, 2023, Submission to DISR re Supporting responsible AI Discussion paper (UNSW Allens Hub and UNSW Business RegLab),
    Reports | 2023
    Bennett Moses L; Kemp K; Lee A; Manwaring K; Nicholls R, 2023, Submission to Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence (Parliament of South Australia)
    Reports | 2023
    Bennett Moses L; Kemp K; Lee A; Manwaring K; Nicholls R, 2023, UNSW Allens Hub Submission into Inquiry into Artificial Intelligence (AI) in New South Wales
    Reports | 2022
    Kemp K; Nicholls R, 2022, Balancing the Competition, Consumer Protection and Privacy Regulation of Digital Platforms: Submission in response to the ACCC Digital Platform Services Inquiry Discussion Paper on Updating Competition and Consumer Law for Digital Platform Services, Submission in response to the ACCC Digital Platform Services Inquiry Discussion Paper on Updating Competition and Consumer Law for Digital Platform Services
    Reports | 2022
    Lloyd-Jones S; Manwaring K; Berger T; Nicholls R; Bennett Moses L, 2022, Complex Regimes: Mapping Australia's Cyber Security Regulatory Landscape for Cloud Services
    Submissions to Government | 2021
    Asher A; Asher R; Nicholls R; Hsu G, 2021, Submission on Strategies for developing the Digital Economy, , https://digitaleconomy.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-05/submission-clmr-unsw.pdf
    Submissions to Government | 2021
    Bennett Moses L; Buckland R; Di Marco BJ; Didenko A; Habibi Gharakheili H; Manwaring K; Modini J; Nicholls R; Phair N; Taylor SM; Zhao S, 2021, Submission on Australia’s cyber security regulations and incentives, , https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/reports-and-pubs/files/strengthening-australias-cyber-security-submissions/unsw-allens-hub-for-technology-law-and-innovation-ifcyber-secedu-australian-society-for-computers-law.pdf
    Reports | 2021
    Bennett Moses L; Zalnieriute M; Nicholls R; Yastreboff M; Di Marco B, 2021, Submission to Inquiry into Draft Critical Infrastructure Asset Definition Rules, https://www.academia.edu/48960008/Submission_to_Inquiry_into_Draft_Critical_Infrastructure_Asset_Definition_Rules
    Other | 2021
    Johns F; Compton C; Lamchek J; Nicholls R, 2021, ‘Fibre in the Coral Sea or Message in a Bottle?’, John Menadue, Sydney, , https://johnmenadue.com/fibre-in-the-coral-sea-or-message-in-a-bottle-whos-interests-are-we-serving/
    Reports | 2021
    Manwaring K; Kemp K; Nicholls R, 2021, (mis)Informed Consent in Australia (Report for iappANZ, 31 March 2021), UNSWorks, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/7sk3-0w49, http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/unsworks_75600
    Conference Abstracts | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'Application Programming Interfaces: A new regulatory tool?', in ComplianceNet Conference 2021, University College, London, presented at ComplianceNet 2021, University College, London, 29 June 2021 - 01 July 2021, https://www.compliancenet.org/2021
    Conference Presentations | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'Application Programming Interfaces: a new regulatory tool?', presented at ComplianceNet 2021, University College London, 29 June 2021 - 01 July 2021, https://www.compliancenet.org/2021
    Conference Abstracts | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'Regulatory design for Regtech compliance and enforcement', in Regulatory Governance: Who carries the conversation?, University of Exeter, presented at 8th Biennial ECPR Standing Group on Regulatory Governance, University of Exeter, 23 June 2021 - 25 June 2021, http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/politics/research/centres/ceg/ecpr_2021/
    Conference Abstracts | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'Shaming a Sector: Regulatory responses to the Hayne Royal Commission', in Regulatory Governance: Who carries the conversation?, University of Exeter, presented at 8th Biennial ECPR Standing Group on Regulatory Governance, University of Exeter, 23 June 2021 - 25 June 2021, http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/politics/research/centres/ceg/ecpr_2021/
    Conference Presentations | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'Socio-Technical and Regulatory Issues Raised by COVID-19', presented at American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS2021), USA, 08 February 2021 - 11 February 2021, https://www.aaas.org/events/2021-aaas-annual-meeting
    Conference Abstracts | 2021
    Nicholls R, 2021, 'When the Price is Right: AI in Final Offer Arbitration', in Pricing Technologies and their Economic and Social Consequences, Florence, presented at Pricing Technologies and their Economic and Social Consequences 2021, Florence, 24 March 2021 - 25 March 2021, https://www.pritechworkshop.online/MWP_Pricing_Technologies_programme.pdf
    Reports | 2020
    Bennett Moses L; Zalnieriute M; Hartstein D; Nicholls R, 2020, Submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Ad Tech Inquiry, https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Allens%20Hub%20for%20Technology%2C%20Law%20and%20Innovation%20%2820%20April%202020%29.pdf
    Reports | 2019
    Kemp K; Nicholls R, 2019, Submission in response to ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry Draft Report
    Other | 2018
    Buchan J; Harris H; Nicholls R; Yang A, 2018, Submission To The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission On A Potential Class Exemption For Collective Bargaining, , https://www.accc.gov.au/public-registers/class-exemptions-register/collective-bargaining-class-exemption
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Buchan J; Nicholls R, 2018, '“Outsourcing the Outsourced: Franchisor structuring and franchisee risk”', presented at Australasian Business Ethics Network, Massey University, Albany campus, 09 December 2018 - 11 December 2018
    Reports | 2018
    Kemp K; Nicholls R, 2018, Submission to the Australian Treasury on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2018 - Exposure Draft, https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/t329531-Kemp-and-Nicholls.docx
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Nicholls R, 2018, 'Algorithm-Driven Business Conduct: Competition and Collusion', presented at Corporate Law and Finance Meets Antitrust Policy: Old and New Questions, University of Lund, 26 June 2018 - 27 June 2018
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Nicholls R, 2018, 'Algorithm-Driven Business Conduct: Competition and Collusion', presented at East Asia Academic Network on Competition Policy and Law, Sydney, 29 August 2018 - 29 August 2018, https://clmr.unsw.edu.au/east-asia-academic-network-competition-policy-eancp-conference-clmr
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Nicholls R, 2018, 'Algorithm-Driven Business Conduct: Competition and Collusion', Toronto, presented at Law and Society, Toronto, 07 June 2018 - 10 June 2018
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Nicholls R, 2018, 'Blockchains and anticompetitive conduct', presented at Tsinghua University Workshop, Tsinghua University Law School, 31 October 2018 - 31 October 2018
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Nicholls R, 2018, 'Competition Law Issues', presented at 2018 UNSW-Tsinghua Collaboration Workshop Financial Innovation and Regulatory Change in the Context of (De)globalisation, UNSW Law School, 16 November 2018 - 16 November 2018
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Warren NA; Nicholls R, 2018, 'Future proofing personal income tax design in a platform economy with multifarious identifiers', Monash University, Melbourne VIC, pp. 1 - 23, presented at Australasian Tax Teachers Association (ATTA) 18th Conference, Monash University, Melbourne VIC, 17 January 2018 - 19 January 2018
    Other | 2017
    Buchan J; Nicholls R, 2017, Submission re Treasury laws Amendment (2017 Enterprise Incentives No 2) Bill 2017,
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Morris C; Nicholls RJ, 2017, 'Do it once, get it right: Wholesale regulatory intervention in price and cost disclosure', presented at 25th Colloquium of Superannuation Researchers, UNSW, 06 July 2017 - 07 July 2017
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Nicholls RJ; Fisse B, 2017, 'Concerted Practices and Algorithmic Coordination: Does the Proposed Concerted Practices Prohibition Compute?', presented at Law Council of Australia Competition and Consumer Law Workshop, 04 August 2017 - 05 August 2017
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Nicholls RJ, 2017, 'Mind the gap: Platform ethics and competition issues', presented at ITS Kyoto 2017, Kyoto, 24 June 2017 - 11 July 2017, https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/168473
    Reports | 2015
    Evans C; Healey DJ; Nehme M; Nicholls R; Penel C, 2015, Competition in Financial Services, Centre for International Finance and Regulation, https://apo.org.au/node/57607
    Other | 2013
    Leonard P; Henderson A (ed.), 2013, Radiocommunications commentary, LexisNexis, Sydney, Australia,
    Conference Presentations | 2012
    Nicholls R, 2012, 'Competitive neutrality and net neutrality: the modern Australian dual model and PSB policy', presented at RIPE@2012
    Conference Presentations | 2012
    Nicholls R, 2012, 'Regulatory Issues Facing the Global Deployment of M2M Communications', presented at CommunicAsia 2012
    Conference Presentations | 2011
    Nicholls R, 2011, 'Please hold for your connection: Determining points of interconnection for open access broadband', presented at Regional ITS Conference, Taipei 2011
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Nicholls R; Rowland M, 2009, 'O Canada: telecommunications interception policy as embedded liberalism', presented at Communications Policy and Research Forum 2009
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Nicholls R, 2009, 'Anytime, Any Place Anywhere: Interception and Access Based on Location', presented at Australia New Zealand Society of Criminology
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Nicholls R, 2009, 'Blame it on the Bikies: Restriction on Freedoms as a Response to Gang Violence', presented at Australia New Zealand Society of Criminology
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Nicholls R, 2009, 'Capital punishment: regulatory reforms in commercial television broadcasting', presented at Communications Policy and Research Forum 2009
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Nicholls R, 2009, 'Competing for attention: The role of the state in broadband network deployment', presented at International Telecommunications Society Regional Conference
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Nicholls R, 2009, 'Digital Dividend: International issues and implications for Australia', presented at The digital dividend: reaping the benefits of analogue switch off
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Nicholls R, 2009, 'Merely Players: Using Evolutionary Concepts in Regulatory Analysis', presented at Law and Society 2009
    Conference Papers | 2008
    Nicholls R; Rowland M, 2008, 'hic et nunc: Provision of location based services to law enforcement agencies', UNSW, UNSW, Sydney, Australia, presented at You are where you’ve been: Technological threats to your location
    Conference Papers | 2008
    Nicholls R, 2008, 'If you step on this rung you may lose your balance: Is bitstream the highest spot on the ladder of investment?', in Dippon C (ed.), International Telecommunications Society, Montreal, presented at International Telecommunications Society Conference 2008
    Conference Papers | 2008
    Nicholls R, 2008, 'Pedestrian Crossings and Superhighway Robbery: Sources of Market Power in Broadband', ACCC, Gold Coast, Australia, presented at ACCC Regulatory Conference 2008
    Conference Papers | 2008
    Nicholls R, 2008, 'Regulatory reform in broadcasting: cultural exception or race to the bottom', in Levi-Faur D (ed.), European Consortium of Political Research Standing Group on Regulatory Governance, Utrecht, presented at (Re)Regulation in the Wake of Neoliberalism
    Conference Papers | 2008
    Nicholls RJ; Rowland M, 2008, 'Lost In Translation: The Australian Regime for Interception of, and Access to, Communications Content and Metadata', in Record of the Communications Policy & Research Forum 2008, Sydney, presented at Communications Policy & Research Forum 2008, Sydney, 29 September 2008 - 30 September 2008
    Conference Papers | 2008
    Nicholls RJ, 2008, '`According to the Degree of Influence`: Why Regional Commercial Radio is More Heavily Regulated than Metropolitan Commercial Television', in Record of the Communications Policy & Research Forum 2008, Sydney, presented at Communications Policy & Research Forum 2008, Sydney, 29 September 2008 - 30 September 2008
    Reports | 2007
    Mitchell B; Paterson P; Dodd M; Reynolds P; Jung A; Waters P; Nicholls R; Ball E, 2007, Economic study on IP interworking, GSM Association, London
    Conference Papers | 2007
    Nicholls R, 2007, 'Never mind the width, feel the quality: interconnection of IP networks', Singapore, presented at CommunicAsia 2007
    Conference Papers | 2007
    Nicholls R, 2007, 'The End of Cultural Protection? The IPE of the Australian Broadcasting Sector', Adelaide, Australia, presented at PhD IPE Workshop 2007
    Conference Papers | 2007
    Nicholls R, 2007, 'Understanding Interconnection and Regulatory Frameworks with NGN', Singapore, presented at Next Generation Networks 2007 Summit
    Reports | 2007
    Waters P; Nicholls R; Ball E, 2007, Spectrum allocation processes: A review of global experience, Gilbert + Tobin, Sydney
    Conference Papers | 2006
    Nicholls R, 2006, 'Digital is different: how Australian audiovisual services were transformed from culture into commerce', in Armstrong M (ed.), Network Insight Institute, UTS, Sydney, Australia, presented at Communications Policy and Research Forum 2006
    Conference Presentations | 2006
    Nicholls R, 2006, 'Interconnection of next generation networks: A regulatory perspective', presented at International Telecommunications Society Conference 2006
    Conference Presentations | 2005
    Nicholls R, 2005, 'Bypass and Transit: Arbitrage Issues in International Interconnection and Revenue Reporting in Developing Countries', presented at Pacific Telecommunications Conference 2005
    Conference Presentations | 2005
    Nicholls R, 2005, 'Telecommunications Regulation and the Global Digital Divide', presented at Communications Policy and Research Forum 2005
    Conference Presentations | 2003
    Nicholls R, 2003, 'SMS: Today’s Interactive Television', presented at International Telecommunications Society Regional Conference
    Conference Presentations | 2002
    Jew B; Nicholls R, 2002, 'Bandwidth Trading', presented at Communications Research Forum 2002
    Conference Presentations | 2001
    Nicholls R, 2001, '3G auctions in Hong Kong', presented at Network Insight Spectrum Seminar
    Conference Presentations | 2000
    Jew B, 2000, 'Peering – Competition and Regulatory Issues', presented at Internet Carriage – Charging Peering and Chaos
    Conference Presentations | 2000
    Nicholls R; Henderson A, 2000, 'Options for Broadband Access and the Identification of Competitive Outcomes', presented at Communications Research Forum 2002
    Conference Presentations | 1999
    Jew B; Nicholls R, 1999, 'Internet connectivity: Open competition in the face of commercial expansion', presented at Pacific Telecommunications Conference 1999
    Preprints |
    Bennett Moses L; Zalnieriute M; Nicholls R; Yastreboff M; Di Marco B, Submission to Inquiry into Draft Critical Infrastructure Asset Definition Rules, , http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3848276

My primary area of work is in the intersection of regulation and technology. In that space, my focus is on competition, financial services regulation and the regulation of networked industries. My research outputs are directed toward policy change.

  • ​​Senior Member: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • Member of the International Telecommunications Society
  • Associate member of the American Bar Association
  • Practitioner member of Resolution Institute​