Karnika Bansal

Biography

Dr Karnika Bansal is a Lecturer in Law at the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts, Southern Cross University, based at the Gold Coast (Yugambeh) campus. She holds a PhD in Copyright Law from Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne (2019 - 2024), a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property from Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane (2017), and a dual degree in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (BA LLB with Honours in Economics) from Panjab University, India (2010 - 2015).

Before entering academia, Karnika was admitted to the Bar Council of Delhi in 2015 and began her legal career at an intellectual property law firm in Delhi. There, she supported the firm's copyright and trademark litigation teams and advised music studios and IT companies on IP contracts and litigation strategies.

Research

Karnika's expertise lies in private law, with a particular focus on intellectual property. Her doctoral research and publications examine national and international copyright regimes, with a focus on the intricate intersection between the entertainment industry and legal frameworks. Her current research interests examine the evolving relationship between intellectual property law and artificial intelligence.

Teaching

Since transitioning into academia in 2019, Karnika has held various teaching roles across undergraduate and postgraduate law programs in Australia. She is actively engaged in integrating innovative, technology-enhanced teaching methods to improve student engagement, practical legal skills, and peer collaboration. She also prioritises creating inclusive and supportive learning environments and contributes actively to embedding inclusive practices in her teaching. Her Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action statement can be read here. In recognition of her contributions, she received a Student Experience Award in 2024 at her then university, James Cook University (JCU), for her use of tailored learning materials, interactive approaches, and digital tools to enhance legal education. That same year, she was also nominated as a finalist for Academic of the Year at the 2024 Australian Law Awards. Karnika is committed to delivering responsive, practice-oriented, and tech-focused legal education.

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