Over the last month, Professor Virginia Torrie, University of Saskatchewan, has been a visiting fellow at the ANU College of Law. 

An insolvency law scholar, Professor Torrie was motivated to secure a fellowship at the College. 

“The ANU College of Law enjoys a strong reputation and is the law school where several senior members of the Canadian legal academy started their careers,” says Professor Torrie. 

“I knew it would be a terrific atmosphere for working on research, and I was fortunate that Associate Professor Akshaya Kamalnath was keen to be the academic to sponsor my visit here.”

Over the course of her esteemed career, Professor Torrie’s research interests have expanded to include insolvency, banking and fintech. 

“My research often takes an historical perspective and is attentive to socio-political dynamics of change, including how institutional factors, contingency, accidents of timing, etc., affect the evolution of law over time.”

“In hindsight the path of the law can seem inevitable, but that is seldom the case. My research is motivated by a deep curiosity about why and how laws change over time.”

During her visit to the College, Professor Torrie presented her talk, ‘Debt and Federalism: The Influence of Saskatchewan and Alberta in the 20th Century’.

“My research talk on changing conceptions of the federal bankruptcy and insolvency law power in Canada relates to ongoing research with my colleague, Professor Thomas GW Telfer (Western Law). We published a book on the subject titled ‘Debt and Federalism’ (UBC Press, 2021), and are in the final stages of preparing a second book manuscript which carries the historical narrative forward to circa 1960. 

“The constitutional dimensions give this talk reach beyond those interested in insolvency law and seemed suitable for a talk at a law school in Australia's capital city.”

Speaking on Professor Torrie’s research, Professor Kamalnath commented, 

“Professor Torrie’s research on Canadian bankruptcy law with a historical lens and her experience as a board director has helped me discuss my own research on board diversity and on corporate insolvency law with her during her stay here. I also think that conversations with her during her time here have given us seeds of ideas for future projects.”

Late last month, Professor Torrie also chaired a session as part of the interdisciplinary workshop on the future of legal services (hosted by Professor Kamalnath and Dr Alvin Hung at the ANU College of Law) and actively participated in the rest of the rest of the workshop, contributing to its overall success. 

Reflecting on her time at the College, Professor Torrie encapsulates it as a “wonderful experience”.

“Colleagues here are friendly and collegial, and we've had many thought-provoking discussions about our respective research interests. It has been a great atmosphere in which to move my research forward.”

Once she completes her fellowship, Professor Torrie is looking forward to connecting with several colleagues at Melbourne and Sydney law schools before returning home to Canada. 

“I'm enjoying my time in Australia very much, and I am glad to have a few more weeks here after my time at ANU College of Law concludes.”

Professor Torrie is the Estey Chair in Business Law at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law, and former Associate Dean (Academic) at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law.