Deirdre Smythe

Deirdre (Dee) Smythe, a barrister with an active law practice, is passionate about access to justice and has sterling expertise in many facets of family and criminal law. She began her career as a Child Protection Officer and Children’s Rights advocate, and today is renowned internationally for her expertise on sexual aggression, advising schools, universities, and civil society on protecting women and children. Her work encompasses policies and processes for dealing with these complex matters. Dee is also a professor of law and has run research units at universities in South Africa.

Deirdre Smythe received her MMEG grant in 2004 when she was completing her PhD at Stanford University. She earned her BA and LLB at the University of Cape Town.