Last month the UQ Senate approved the promotion of Dr Sarah Derrington to the rank of Professor, to take effect on 1 January 2008.

On this date Dr Derrington will become one of only 24 Professors appointed in the TC Beirne School of Law's 70 year history.

From January 2008, Dr Derrington will take up a three year secondment as Director of Studies for the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law.

"I am looking forward to the challenges presented by the role of Director of Studies and to making a positive contribution to the teaching and learning policies and practices within the BEL Faculty", she said.

Dr Derrington teaches maritime law, equity and commercial law at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In addition to her academic duties, she is the Vice-Chair of the Australian Maritime and Transport Arbitration Commission, and the Australian Vice-President of the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand.

Dr Derrington continues to practise as a Barrister, specialising in shipping law.