South Asian Research and Advocacy Hub

South Asian Research and Advocacy Hub

On this page

> The project

> How it works

> Getting involved

> Updates

> Communities

The South Asian Legal Research and Advocacy Hub (SARAH) is an undergraduate legal research centre run by South Asian students for the South Asian diaspora. Our aims are as follows:

1. To research the condition, identity, and future of the Australian diaspora;

2. To understand and create awareness of South Asian legal systems;

3. To apply our lived experiences and knowledge to advocate on behalf of the communities; and

4. To empower South Asian youth to become leaders in legal research and advocacy.

Our current goal is to refine the panjayam/panchayat into a modern inquiry method to elevate communities and privilege their voices.


How it works

SARAH works closely with the College of Law and collaborates with academics, NGOs, and communities to develop theory and research that is beneficial for the diaspora. We also create submissions to advise federal and state parliaments on South Asian issues and perspectives. Additionally, we hope to collaborate with South Asian law schools internationally to build networks of future lawyers who are passionate about the diaspora, their culture, and their communities. Our teams meet regularly depending on the needs of their project and hold other events to promote an understanding of the law among the communities. 

Getting Involved

While SARAH will always protect and centre the South Asian community’s voice, it is an open and non-autonomous space that strongly encourages everyone to join, regardless of their community affiliation. Our projects are inherently interdisciplinary, and therefore, we have space for people with a wide variety of interests, backgrounds, and skills. The only requirement is a passion for supporting the communities and their aspirations. To join SARAH, drop an email to lrsj.anu.sarah@gmail.com, and we will email you back with information about how you can best get involved. 

Updates

Upcoming Projects

The Panjayam Project 

  • Study into the long-term prospects of international students who remain in Australia.
  • Framework for South Asian Engagement on Campus

We regularly make submissions to topical Parliamentary inquiries at the state, territory, and Commonwealth level

  • Engaging India.
  • Articles on matters of identity, community, and personal interest.

Current Projects

  • Submission to the Inquiry into Recovery Plan for Nursing and Midwifery Workers: read our submission here.
  • Submission to the Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Framework: read our submission here. 

May 2023, ‘The struggle for ‘Indian’ Australians Souls’, Alexander Titus, Sashini Liyanage, Angela Paulson and Harshitha Peddireddy. Questions of national (be)longing – critical and theoretical engagements with citizenship Symposium.

Coming soon

  • 15 MAY 2023, Championing change: ANU students advocate for South Asian diaspora, ANU College of Law. Read the article here.
  • Alexander Titus, Appearance on ABC Canberra to Talk about the Recovery Plan for Nursing and Midwifery Workers. Tue 21 Feb 2023 at 3:30pm.


Communities

SARAH hopes to become a hub for all the South Asian communities to find their voice and passion for research and jurisprudence. Therefore, we partner with community associations to elevate their voices within the ANU and to work with them to develop their understanding and use of the law.

 

Any community or association that wishes to partner with SARAH should reach out to lrsj.anu.sarah@gmail.com, and we will be in touch.