Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Immigration and Citizenship
International and Comparative Law
Gender and Law
International Human Rights Law
Trafficking in Human Beings and Modern Slavery
The European Union
Monash teaching commitment
LAW5465 Migration and Human Rights
LAW1114 Criminal Law 1 SEM1/T2
LAW5304 Overview of international human rights law SEM2/T3; SUM/T1
LAW4161 Introduction to European Union law SEM2/T3
Biography
My primary interests lie in studying the various legal, social and political practices through which states seek to manage and control movement across international borders and the incorporation of (im)migrants, and the ways in which these efforts shape the lives of both migrants and citizens.
I have written about these matters from various inter-disciplinary angles and national, regional and international perspectives. I am particularly interested in the role of gender in migration; transnational families and care; demographic change; freedom of movement in international law; and multiculturalism and the treatment of minorities.
I also maintain a strong interest in the critical analysis of legal responses to trafficking in human beings, irregular migration and migrant exploitation, including various forms of modern slavery.
I have authored a number of peer-reviewed publications in these areas, including two monographs, The Demographic Transformations of Citizenship (Cambridge University Press, 2016) and Legal Responses to Trafficking in Women for Sexual Exploitation in the European Union (Hart, 2007).
My interest in migration is also personal, and my background as an international migrant informs not only my research but my approach to teaching. Having lived and worked outside my country of birth (Finland) for two decades, I believe in internationalising legal education and seeking to understand one's own legal system through a comparative lens.
I've held a number of visiting research positions and taught in my areas of expertise across a number of jurisdictions, including Canada, the UK, Italy, Malaysia, Germany, Viet Nam and Finland. I have also provided legal and policy advice to various local and international bodies, including the International Organization for Migration, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Research area keywords
- Comparative law
- International Law
- European Union
- Violence against women
- Immigration and citizenship
- Feminism
- Trafficking in human beings
- Modern slavery
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Feminist Legislation: Engendering gender justice through law reform
Batagol, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Munro, V. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mouthaan, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Askola, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lammasniemi, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sekalala, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Venville, E. J. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Young-Andrade, L. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/02/24 → 31/12/24
Project: Research
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Family violence and migration law: protecting immigrant women's legal status
Askola, H., 2025, The Feminist Legislation Project: Rewriting Laws for Gender-Based Justice. Batagol, B., Seear, K., Askola, H. & Walwisch, J. (eds.). 1st ed. Abingdon UK: Routledge, p. 251-265 15 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Feminist statutory drafting
Batagol, B., Dalmau, J., Askola, H., Seear, K. & Walvisch, J., 2025, The Feminist Legislation Project: Rewriting Laws for Gender-Based Justice. Batagol, B., Seear, K., Askola, H. & Walvisch, J. (eds.). 1st ed. Abingdon UK: Routledge, p. 24-41 18 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Immigration, Citizenship and Insecurity: An Australian Story
Askola, H., 2025, 1st ed. Abingdon UK: Routledge. 182 p. (Routledge Studies in Nationalism and Ethnicity)Research output: Book/Report › Book › Research › peer-review
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Introducing the Australian Feminist Legislation Project
Seear, K., Batagol, B., Walvisch, J. & Askola, H., 2025, The Feminist Legislation Project: Rewriting Laws for Gender-Based Justice. Batagol, B., Seear, K., Askola, H. & Walvish, J. (eds.). 1st ed. Abingdon UK: Routledge, p. 3-23 21 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Other › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
The Feminist Legislation Project: Rewriting Laws for Gender-Based Justice
Batagol, B. (Editor), Seear, K. (Editor), Askola, H. (Editor) & Walvisch, J. (Editor), 2025, 1st ed. Abingdon UK: Routledge. 360 p.Research output: Book/Report › Edited Book › peer-review
Open Access
Activities
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COVID-19 Travel Bans and International Human Rights
Heli Askola (Contributor)
6 May 2021Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public outreach
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Castan Centre Submission to the Senate Legal & Constitutional Affairs Committee on the efficacy, fairness, timelines & costs of the processing & granting of Visa classes which provide for or allow for family & partner reunions
Heli Askola (Contributor)
30 Apr 2021Activity: External Academic Engagement › Submissions to industry or govt committees, commissions and inquiries
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Castan Centre Submission to the Select Committee on COVID-19
Askola, H. (Contributor), Bell AM QC, K. (Contributor), O'Sullivan, M. (Contributor), Paterson, M. (Contributor) & Witzleb, N. (Contributor)
2 Jun 2020Activity: External Academic Engagement › Submissions to industry or govt committees, commissions and inquiries
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Temporary Migrants as a Vulnerable Group during COVID-19
Heli Askola (Contributor)
17 Jul 2020Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Masters Degree course in Human Rights Law at Vietnam National University School of Law: Regional human rights mechanisms (Castan Centre for Aus4Skills)
Heli Askola (Speaker)
2019Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Industry projects
Press/Media
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Menstrual hygiene: Period poverty, and the undermining of gender equality and human rights for school students, Monash Lens, 28 May 2021
Mansfield, R., Francis, N., Batagol, B., Askola, H., Adams, M., Penovic, T. & lisahunter, L. H.
28/05/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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Exposing modern slavery - Episode 7: A Different Lens
Segrave, M., Allain, J., Kulkarni, J., Pickering, S., Teshome, A., Wilson, C., Askola, H. & Hedwards, B.
8/05/18
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other