Collective advocacy in the age of neoliberalism: Getting political in an interdisciplinary law clinic

Abstract

Background: In a context of neoliberal policies where social, health and legal services are increasingly scarce, legal or interdisciplinary clinics can play a pivotal role in defending the rights of the most marginalized, in addition to training students on the structural and political dimension of the law and social-work practices.

Purpose: Based on students’ experiences of collective advocacy at the Outaouais Interdisciplinary Social Law Clinic Law Clinic, this article explores the nature and impact of learning through community engagement and collective advocacy.

Methodology: A case study conducted through semi-structured interviews with 9 clinic students and analyzed using an inductive approach.

Findings/Conclusions: The learning experiences transform students’ conception of justice, by integrating the basic needs of all community members along with ending oppressive police and judicial practices, but also the role they wish to play as future professionals for social justice.

Implications: These findings demonstrate the importance of addressing the political dimension of higher education.