Dr Jan Mihal - Research Portfolio - James Cook University

About

Jan has a PhD from Melbourne Law School and a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (with a major in Philosophy), also from the University of Melbourne. He has spent time as a visiting scholar at ANU and has taught and undertaken research at the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Most recently, he was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Law Faculty, National University of Singapore, affiliated with the Centre for Legal Theory. He draws inspiration and stimulation from the vibrant interdisciplinary academic environment and tropical ecosystem at JCU.

Jan’s research focuses on the intersection of jurisprudence, metaphysics and social ontology while also being informed by notions of function and teleology from the philosophy of biology. This interdisciplinary approach yields an original, functionalist account of law’s nature with deep implications for methodology in general jurisprudence and beyond. The core idea that drives his research project is that law’s nature, its essential function, is something we discover through investigating and studying the world, our societies and their histories and our ourselves – in this way we can work out the special role law plays, what keeps it around and keeps it relevant.

He has published his research in leading international journals and has presented at a wide variety of conferences and workshops around the world. His work has received a range of awards, grants, recognition and praise from peers and leading experts.

He has taught across a variety of subject areas in both law and philosophy, including topics in public and private law, metaphysics and narrative jurisprudence as it relates to discourses on human rights and emerging technologies. He enjoys inspiring his students to think more deeply about legal issues while nurturing their creativity as modern problem solvers and future leaders.

When not teaching and researching, Jan can be found acting, making music and learning ancient languages (rather slowly).

Teaching

LA1027: Human Rights Law (Level 1; TSV)
LA1102: Legal Research, Writing and Analysis (Level 1; TSV)
LA4027: Human Rights Law (Level 4; TSV)

Interests

Research

General Jurisprudence
Legal Theory
Law and Philosophy
Metaphysics
Philosophy of Biology
Asian Philosophies
Neuroscience and Law
Machine learning, iterative self-improvement, AI and Big Data
Moral and Political Thought
Virtue Ethics
Mythological and Narrative approaches to Law

Experience

2019 to 2021 - Postdoctoral Fellow, National University of Singapore (Singapore)
2019 - Tutor, University of Melbourne (Carlton, Melbourne)
2018 - Teaching Assistant, Melbourne Law School (Carlton, Melbourne)
2014 to 2018 - Doctoral Candidate, Melbourne Law School (Carlton, Melbourne)
2017 - Teaching Associate, Monash University (Clayton, Melbourne)
2015 - Teaching Fellow, Melbourne Law School (Carlton, Melbourne)
2015 - Teaching Associate, Monash University (Clayton, Melbourne)
2012 to 2013 - Summer Scholar, Australian National University (Canberra)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

Awards

2017 - First Prize, Australasian Society of Asian and Comparative Philosophy Graduate Student Essay Competition
2015 - Australasian Society of Legal Philosophy Essay Prize
2011 - S.F. Pond Prize in Legal Theory

Memberships

International Law and Technology Interoperability Association
Australasian Society of Legal Philosophy
2021 - American Philosophical Association
2021 - Townsville District Law Association
2019 to 2021 - Centre for Legal Theory, National University of Singapore

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles