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Pre-eminent Sybil Emslie Animal Law Scholarship recipient announced

This year’s recipient of RSPCA Australia’s Sybil Emslie Animal Law Scholarship is South Australian based law lecturer, Taylor Jobling.

RSPCA Australia
Tuesday, 18 November 2025

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This year’s recipient of RSPCA Australia’s Sybil Emslie Animal Law Scholarship is South Australian based law lecturer, Taylor Jobling.

In acknowledgment of the life-long dedication and advocacy that Sybil Emslie provided to the care and protection of animals in Australia, the scholarship was established to encourage and champion the important work of animal law undergraduate, Masters and PhD students and practising lawyers.

Awarded annually, the Sybil Emslie Law Scholarship seeks to encourage the advancement of animal law via the work of dedicated law students and lawyers.

“Taylor’s application for the Sybil Emslie Law Scholarship clearly illustrated a strong drive to improve animal law for the benefit of both animals and people, underpinned by a commitment to protect the interests and welfare of animals,” said RSPCA Australia’s Chief Science Officer, Suzie Fowler.

Having recently completed a Master of Research (Law) degree and commencing a doctorate in 2026, Taylor was selected from a pool of high calibre applicants and accorded the scholarship based on her deep passion for animals, her contribution to animal welfare and her prospects in animal law research and practice.

Taylor’s work has contributed to the advancement of animal protection in Australia through purposeful research and law reform advocacy.

In 2024, Taylor presented research at the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) Conference which centred on the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)’s lack of reference to animals within its provisions, and how pets are dealt with in the family courts as property to be divided upon a relationship breakdown. Her presentation critiqued how the law currently operates and suggested how it should change to reflect the importance pets have in Australian households as sentient beings and members of the family.

Taylor said she was honoured to win the award.

“I am very proud to contribute to animal welfare scholarship in Australia and thank the RSPCA and Sybil Emslie’s family for this incredible recognition,” she said.

Administered by RSPCA Australia with funds contributed by Sybil Emslie’s family, as the recipient of the scholarship Taylor will receive a $1000 cash grant to assist in supporting her work to advance animal law.

More information on the Sybil Emslie Scholarship and previous recipients is available here.

The RSPCA is Australia’s leading animal welfare organisation and one of Australia’s most trusted charities. The RSPCA works to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection.

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Pre-eminent Sybil Emslie Animal Law Scholarship recipient announced

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