The outgoing editor-in-chief would love to see senior court judgments referencing the Journal
As she prepares to step down as co-editor-in-chief of the New Zealand Women’s Law Journal, Nicole Browne sees the publication’s stance on trans-inclusion as its most significant contribution to the New Zealand legal profession. In her two terms helping to lead the publication, she has helped progress its goal to not diminish transgender voices.
In the first part of this interview, Browne told NZ Lawyer how she started working with the Journal; in the second half, she shares with us her hopes for the publication in the decade to come.
What in your opinion has been the most significant contribution of the publication to the NZ legal profession?
In my view, aside from the creation of the Journal itself as an academic platform focused on gender justice, the most significant contribution of the publication to the New Zealand legal profession is the clear stance the Journal has taken on trans-inclusion. Despite being named as a “Women’s Law Journal”, the Journal publishes articles on all aspects of gender justice. From an editorial perspective, during my terms, one of our clear goals was to affirm that transgender women are women and that our publication would not be used in anyway to diminish transgender voices.
How does it feel to be stepping down at this point, and what can you tell us about the transition period to the new editor/s-in-chief?
It feels bittersweet to be stepping down. I have felt immensely privileged to hold the role for two years and I have worked with such exceptional wāhine toa. The idea of letting it go is, honestly, quite difficult. However, I am so excited to see the Journal under a new team of editors-in-chief. We know that the new editors will be announced shortly and they will start immediately – submissions have already started rolling in for the next edition.
Where do you see the publication heading in the next decade?
I would be so pleased to see the Journal continuing to develop its advocacy work, leveraging the thought leadership contained in the published editions. The Journal is completely run by volunteers. I would love to see public awareness of the Journal increase such that the Journal can eventually fund paid roles and potentially expand the frequency or scope of the publication.
I also hope to see the articles cited in senior court judgments and I will look for every opportunity to cite the articles in my own submissions.
