Dr Rob Nicholls is a senior research associate in media and communications at the University of Sydney. His research interests focus on the intersection of regulation and technology. Rob has had a forty-year career concentrating on competition, regulation and governance. His first degree was in electronics and communications engineering from the University of Birmingham and he was awarded his PhD and MA by UNSW Sydney. Before moving to academia, he worked for Webb Henderson, the ACCC and spent twelve years as a client-facing consultant at Gilbert + Tobin, including as a partner. Rob is an accredited mediator.
Experience
2024–present
Senior research associate, University of Sydney
2015–2023
Associate professor, UNSW Business School
2012–2020
Independent Telecommunications Adjudicator, ITA Co
2015–2015
Postdoctoral research fellow, Swinburne University of Technology
2014–2015
Research fellow, Centre for International Finance and Regulation
2013–2015
Postdoctoral research associate, UNSW Law
Education
2011
University of New South Wales, PhD in Policy and Regulation
2005
University of New South Wales, Master of Arts in International Relations
1983
University of Birmingham, Bachelor of Science with Honours in Electronics and Communications Engineering
Grants and Contracts
2023
International Digital Policy Observatory
Role:
CI
Funding Source:
Australian Research Council
2015
Spectrum after Scarcity
Role:
Researcher
Funding Source:
Australian Research Council
2014
Competition law and financial services regulation
Role:
CI
Funding Source:
Centre for International Finance and Regulation
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association - Associate Member
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - Senior Member