IAN HENDERSON - PhD Student Profile

Ian is a part time doctoral student at the University of Melbourne studying under the auspices of the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law. He graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989 and in 1991 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. In 1996 he graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Master of Laws degree and enrolled in the PhD program in early 2001.

He joined the Royal Australian Air Force as an Officer Cadet on 25 July 1990, and after being admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, commenced his first full time posting with the Air Force on 13 April 1993 in the Directorate of Air Force Legal Services (now part of The Defence Legal Service). He is currently Deputy Director of Military Justice, Defence Legal. His interest in the Law of Armed Conflict stems from this work background.

Abstract of PhD Thesis
'Targeting During Armed Conflict: A Legal Analysis'


Ian's thesis looks at the law applicable to target selection in an armed conflict, and in particular analyses the concepts of military objectives and proportionality. It considers to what extent this law applies to UN mandated military options and whether there is any difference between such operations and 'traditional' armed conflict.

Click here for a photo of Ian with his PhD supervisors Professor Tim McCormack and Dr Andrew Mitchell

Contact details:
law-apcml@unimelb.edu.au