• First Peoples' perspectives on State laws, including Constitutions
• First Law (Aboriginal Peoples' diverse law and legal systems in continental Australia)
• Aboriginal Peoples' knowledges, ways of knowing, experiences, and rights.
• Legal Pluralism
• Culture and legal discourse
• Sociolegal studies

Mary Spiers Williams is Associate Dean Indigenous Studies in the College of Arts and Social Sciences at the Australian National University. In addition to this strategic role, Mary developed and delivers the major in Australian Indigenous Studies. These courses centre First Peoples' scholarship, advance students' knowledge of shared histories and civic education, and create opportunities for students' to develop insight into Aboriginal and Islander Peoples' diverse perspectives and experiences. 

Mary researches in and has taught critical Indigenous perspectives and other sociolegal perspectives on state law at the ANU and UNSW law schools. Her research is primarily concerned with the impact of state laws and colonialism on First Peoples and settlers.

Mary has been a criminologist, a senior policy officer in criminal law reform for the NSW government and practiced criminal law in NSW and central Australia. She was the law and justice projects officer for Warlpiri communities and Tangentyere town camp desert peoples in Mparntwe Alice Springs. Mary previously taught in law schools (including the ANU and other leading Australian universities) advanced courses in criminal law and sentencing, the impact of state laws on First Peoples, youth law, criminology, penology, evidence, advocacy, legal ethics and convened clinical legal programmes.

• Indigenous Legal Theory and Praxis
• Professional Standards Working Party - Indigenous cultural competency
• Doctoral research into legal concepts of culture and its impact on sentencing