Prof Lyria Bennett Moses (Bennett 1993) is making a profound impact on the legal landscape through her pioneering work at the intersection of law, technology and cybersecurity policy.
From an early age, Lyria’s natural curiosity set her apart, a trait encouraged by her teachers at Ascham, such as Janet Parker (now Hunter), who ignited Lyria’s fascination with mathematics. Through her guidance, math became a lens to explore the world, inspiring Lyria to seek understanding beyond the obvious. This desire to explore unanswered questions and make sense of complex phenomena has defined her approach to learning and teaching. As Lyria often advises, true growth comes from asking questions outside the syllabus and embracing challenges as opportunities. For her, curiosity is not just a mindset but a lifelong journey of discovery.
An exceptionally distinguished student at Ascham, awarded equal Dux of her year and scoring a remarkable tertiary entrance rank of 100 in the HSC, Lyria was always destined for great things.
After finishing school, Lyria pursued a degree in Science and Law at UNSW, with First Class Honours and the University Medal in Pure Mathematics. She began her legal career in Sydney, working at esteemed Sydney law firm Freehills (now Herbert Smith Freehills) and then as an associate for the Hon. Justice Margaret Stone AO FAAL on the Federal Court, before she and her husband embarked on a three-year chapter in New York City. During this time Lyria obtained a Masters degree from Columbia Law School, from which she later completed a doctorate on the topic of ‘The Impact of Technological Change on Law’. Lyria and her husband returned to Australia with their first child. Their second child, Tiana, is a Year 11/12 student at Ascham (Class of 2025).
Today, as Head of the School of Law, Society and Criminology, and a Professor in the Faculty of Law and Justice at UNSW Sydney, Lyria leads with passion and the finely honed organisational skills she first acquired at Ascham.
Lyria’s research delves into the relationship between technological change and the law, scrutinising how legal frameworks adapt to and influence technological advancements. A key area of her work is understanding the complexities and implications of regulating technology as a multifaceted entity, particularly as technology evolves and penetrates every aspect of daily life. For example, what should we do about the potential dangers of using artificial intelligence in government decision-making? For the answer, you can watch her TEDx talk here: Lyria Bennett Moses: Should we worry about AI and algorithms in government? | TED Talk.
Recently, Lyria has concentrated on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, producing significant contributions that have shaped public discourse and informed policy development. She co-authored a book with Dr Michael Guihot, Artificial Intelligence, Robots and the Law, published by LexisNexis, soon to be in its second edition, which examines the legal challenges and societal implications of AI. Additionally, she led a report on AI decision-making and its application in judicial contexts, commissioned by the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration. As co-lead of the Law and Policy theme within the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, Lyria analyses the role of law in regulating for cyber security. Through her involvement with Standards Australia, she is involved in the development of international standards for AI, reinforcing her commitment to responsible innovation.
Lyria’s expertise has been recognised by her peers, as evidenced by her fellowships of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of Law and the Royal Society of New South Wales.
Lyria is recognised more by those closest to her for her devotion to family than for her professional achievements. However, it must be said that as a scholar, she exemplifies the power of intellectual diversity and taking the path less travelled. In her words, ‘Few problems today, including the need for legal frameworks that promote responsible innovation, but also climate change or cyber security, can be solved by thinking only within the bounds of a single discipline.’
What has been Lyria’s most valuable lesson over her career? ‘Understanding failure as the launch pad for the next success. Failure was my best motivator,’ she reflects. ‘That’s where the Dalton Plan truly shone: when an Assignment or exam bombed, Studies were an amazing opportunity for one-on-one teacher feedback, helping you get back to a place of “this makes sense.”’
For Lyria, setbacks were never an end but a chance to grow, refine and ultimately succeed.
Alexandra Wenderoth (Beer 1993)
Image: Joshua Moses, Daniel Moses, Lyria Bennett Moses (Bennet 1993) and Tiana Moses (2025)
