The Resource Implications of Work Integrated Learning and Legal Clinics in Australian Legal System: Managing Workload, System Support and Recognition

Anne Hewitt; Natalie Skead

doi:10.19164/ijcle.v30i2.1323

Authors

Anne Hewitt The University of Adelaide https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1227-137X
Natalie Skead https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8866-5167

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19164/ijcle.v30i2.1323

Abstract

Work integrated learning (WIL) has been embraced as a valuable pedagogy by many Australian law schools, which offer students the opportunity to engage in a variety of WIL including clinical legal education, placements in law firms and industry projects. However, there is widespread recognition that WIL pedagogies have unique resourcing requirements in terms of workload and infrastructure. In addition, there is evidence that academic contribution to WIL pedagogies is not positively regarded in the context of academic advancement. This article explores the resources required to deliver legal WIL and presents novel data about how this is being accommodated by Australian law schools. This analysis informs the development of specific recommendations for Australian law schools on the resourcing of legal WIL.

Author Biographies

Anne Hewitt, The University of Adelaide

A Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy UK, Anne's research focuses on equitable access to high quality work and education. Within that field, her current projects consider prohibitions of discrimination, the rights of non-traditional workers including student interns, the regulation of higher education and work integrated learning. She was an author of an International Labour Organization (ILO) study on the regulation internships in 13 jurisdictions in 2018, in 2019 she was an organizer of both Australian and international (ILO) symposia considering the regulation of work experience, was an editor and contributor to a significant international analysis of the regulation of work experience, published jointly by Edward Elgar and the ILO in 2021, has authored major reports on the role Australian universities are playing in regulating work experience and considering scholarships for work-integrated learning. Anne is a member of the Australian Discrimination Law Experts Group and the Berkeley Centre for Comparative Equality. She is active in promoting law reform to enhance equality, and regularly makes submissions and provides advice regarding the operation and reform of anti-discrimination laws.

Natalie Skead

Dr Natalie Skead is Professor in Law and Dean of the UWA Law School.

Natalie is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, Chair of the Australian Law Academics Association, Deputy Chair of the Council of Australian Law Deans, Associate Editor of the Legal Education Review and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. In 2011 she received a national citation for her outstanding contribution to student learning and in 2017 she was the recipient of the Federal Department of Education and Training's national award for teaching excellence in law.

Natalie completed her doctorate on the proprietary implications of confiscation of proceeds of crime legislation. She is a prolific researcher with an extensive publication record in Property, Confiscation of Proceeds of Crime, Equity and Trusts, Legal Education and Wellbeing in Law.

Prior to joining the academy, Natalie practiced as a solicitor for over ten years specialising in Corporate Finance, Commercial Litigation, Property and Securities.