Professor Kate Warner will be sworn in at Government House in Hobart today.

Politicians, judges and family members will watch on as Tasmania receives its first female head of state.

Chief Justice Alan Blow will swear in the law reformer and sentencing expert to the constitutional, community and ceremonial role.

‘‘I’m really looking forward to all three roles,’’ Professor Warner told The Examiner yesterday.

‘‘I imagine it will be quite a heavy workload, but I’m used to that,’’ she said.

Professor Warner said she was fascinated by the constitutional legal responsibilities of the governor.

‘‘I’m really interested in exploring that in more detail,’’she said.

‘‘I’m really looking forward to meeting a range of stimulating and different people around the state, and I’m also looking forward to giving encouragement where I can in an a-political way.’’

Professor Warner said education and social justice would be her key focus areas.

‘‘I’m interested too in the role of women in society and encouraging women to achieve their full potential.

‘‘I’m concerned that Tasmania has such a low retention rate comparably, and I would like to do something about that,’’ she said.

Professor Warner said her past republican ties were not relevant to the role.

‘‘Even if we had a republic there is still the possibility of a non-elected governor performing exactly the same kind of duties as they perform today with a monarchy,’’ she said.

The passionate gardener, cyclist and bushwalker plans to live at Government House with her husband Richard Warner, a farmer from New Norfolk.

The couple are likely to be visited often by their two daughters and five grandchildren, all of whom live in the state.

Professor Warner said she would continue to oversee her post-graduate law students at the University of Tasmania.

She replaces the late Peter Underwood, who died earlier this year.