Book love unlocks global justice career - CQUniversity

By Mary Bolling

When she first went to university, Wendy O'Brien wasn't dreaming of an international career.

In fact, the United Nations legal scholar and human rights specialist wasn't thinking past the library.

"I would be in the library all the time," she laughs.

"I was very focused on literary studies, on drama, and through these subjects I began to study the way society was organised, how categorisations of race and class and gender structure our society, and how people are valued."

In her hometown Mackay, and then at Rockhampton, Dr O'Brien said her CQUniversity Bachelor of Arts was the first step towards a career pursuing human rights and justice globally.

"Growing up in regional Queensland, being a woman, being first in family studying, and looking at the way women were valued differently to men… I do remember sitting up long into the night with other students at CQU, because we were all so interested in these ideas," she said.

Now working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, Dr O'Brien has been named CQUniversity's Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, for her significant contribution to new knowledge in children's rights, gender justice, violence prevention, and human rights-led law reform.

Her UN role sees her deliver technical guidance to requesting member states, on criminal justice reform in line with international standards.

Dr O'Brien moved to Vienna with her husband and two young children for the appointment, and she said being a parent gives her fresh determination to drive change.

"In the years when my children were very small, the child protection and the child rights work became more difficult, it does feel very close to home," she said.

"But I do think that by having children I'm all the more emboldened… and (recognise that) just about all of the pressing global issues we face are child rights issues.

"It's essentially an obligation for all of us to do the best we can to ensure a safe future, a clean future, an equal future."

Dr O'Brien said the Alumnus of the Year Award was an honour, and a welcome opportunity to reflect on her study journey.

"I've such fond memories of all my studies at CQUniversity, and of my time at CQU generally. I worked at CQU as a lecturer for many years… it's an institution that I really value, so it's really touching to receive this and have the institution acknowledge the work that I've done and contributions that I have made."

Dr O'Brien first began her CQUniversity studies in 1991, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) then returning for her PhD in the late 1990s. She's also earned a Master of Public International Law, and a Master of Programme Evaluation, from Melbourne University.

The passionate academic started her career as a lecturer at CQU before then taking up a role as Senior Specialist with the Australian Crime Commission in Melbourne. Driven by a commitment to social justice and equality, Wendy commenced work with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2018.

Dr O'Brien is also Adjunct Associate Professor at Deakin University, and was previously a Senior Lecturer in Criminology with the institution.

CQUniversity is proud to have more than 130,000 alumni around the world, and to celebrate their impact through its annual Alumni Awards.

Find out more about our Alumni Award recipients.

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