Understand better justice

Studying legal need and capability from every angle, Hugh has worked on several landmark access the justice and legal needs projects. 

Previously at the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW for 15 years, Hugh joined Victoria Law Foundation in September 2019 as Principal Researcher, taking on the Research Director role in August 2024. He led the Foundation’s Data Mapping Project, a sustained examination of the use and utility of Victoria’s civil justice data and continues to work on the Public Understanding of Law Survey.

Throughout his career, Hugh has worked closely with legal aid commissions, community legal centres, and state and federal governments, giving him a deep understanding of legal institutions and access to justice issues throughout Australia.

With over 20 years of experience in monitoring, outcomes-based practice, and project management, Bridget is an evaluation specialist. She holds a Master of Public Health from Monash University, and is skilled in quantitative and qualitative measurement and analysis, and building evaluation capacity and systems. 

With a background working in international and community not-for-profits, Bridget previously led evaluation and research for over eight years at Victoria Legal Aid, driving evidence-based practice to underpin the design and delivery of effective, client-centred legal services.

Bethia holds a PhD in Criminology and Development Studies, and a Master of International Relations from the University of Melbourne. Additionally, she earned undergraduate degrees in Law and Arts from the University of Western Australia. 

Throughout her career, Bethia has contributed to teaching, research, and practice-based initiatives with a focus on addressing structural injustices, promoting gender equality, and supporting community-driven agendas. She has been involved in research and evaluation at IWDA, the University of Melbourne, the Victorian Law Reform Commission, and Our Watch. 

Bethia is passionate about leveraging data-driven, innovative, and transformative solutions to enhance access to justice and address systemic marginalisation across Victoria.  

Bethia was born on Gunai Country, raised on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, and currently resides on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.  

Yolanda brings extensive expertise in managing research and evaluation projects in the health and education sectors. She holds postgraduate qualifications in Assessment and Evaluation, alongside undergraduate degrees in Criminology and Behavioural Science. 

In her previous role at the Faculty of Business, Governance and Law at the University of Canberra, Yolanda was an integral part of a multidisciplinary team that successfully completed a multiphase evaluation of the Australian Defence Force’s “Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2022” and Continuous Improvement Framework. 

Yolanda's work is characterised by her commitment to rigorous assessment and evaluation methodologies, ensuring impactful and sustainable outcomes in her projects.

Zhigang joined Victoria Law Foundation in May 2024 as a Data Analyst.  

Zhigang has a PhD in criminology from Griffith University and extensive research experience working in various government and non-government organisations. He previously worked at the Australian Institute of Criminology, at the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, where he was one of the authors of the seminal Legal Australia-Wide Survey reports, and more recently, at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and cohealth.  

Zhigang is an expert in data analysis and drawing insights from large, complex datasets. He is also a published author of numerous peer-reviewed research publications.