Former foreign affairs and defence minister Stephen Smith has been appointed a professor of international law at The University of Western Australia (UWA).

Prof Smith was awarded a Bachelor of Laws degree at UWA in 1977 and became a barrister of the WA Supreme Court that same year.

He was also admitted as a barrister of the Bar of England and Wales in 1980, and awarded a Master of Laws from London University in international law in 1982.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Paul Johnson said Prof Smith would add “tremendous intellectual value” to the university’s law school.

“His experience as foreign affairs minister, trade minister and minister for defence will be a great asset to the university’s law school, and its scholarship in international law and international relations,” he said.

Dean of UWA Law School Erika Techera said Prof Smith’s work would focus on the masters of international law and international relations courses.

“He will bring with him a practical understanding to the study,” she said.

Prof Smith is also a board member at the Perth USAsia Centre and a member of the advisory board of the Perth legal firm, Lavan Legal.