Reimagining Law Schools: Challenges and Opportunities
A Workshop Hosted by the School of Law, University of Reading and the Centre for the Common Law in Europe, Sutherland Law School, University of College Dublin
Against shifting political sands, the Higher Education environment has been evolving dramatically in recent years with, for example, changes to fees regimes, increased competition in the higher education sector, increased pressure on resources and pensions, the changing expectations of students, TEF and the much sharper focus on employability. At the same time, the higher education sector has had to navigate, for example, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the immediate (and longer term) impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the role of AI. Moreover, there has been increased debate about the future shape of legal education with, first, the Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) and then the emergence of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), as well as the changing landscape of the provision of legal services and the increasing globalisation of law. This dynamic, and to some extent volatile, context undoubtedly creates challenges and risks. Yet, more importantly, this changing context disrupts the established order and creates opportunities to develop models of legal education fit for the 21st century. This conference explores some of the challenges and opportunities for Law School, so that together we may reimagine legal education.
| Time |
Programme |
| 9th September 2024 |
|
| 6pm-6:30pm 6:30pm-9pm |
Drinks (Blandfords Restaurant, Park House, University of Reading) Dinner (Blandfords Restaurant, Park House, University of Reading) [Park House is No.8 on this map: (opens in a new window)Campuses Map & Key (reading.ac.uk) (opens in a new window)https://static.reading.ac.uk/content/PDFs/files/Maps/Whiteknights_campus_map.pdf] |
| 10th September 2024 |
|
| 9:30am-10am |
Arrival and Refreshments (Foxhill House, Room G03) |
| 10am-10:10am |
Welcome (Foxhill House, Room G02): Sharon Sinclair-Graham (University of Reading) and Dr. Mary Catherine Lucey (UCD) |
| 10:10am-11:15am |
Plenary Session One: A Wider Lens… Chair: Sharon Sinclair-Graham (University of Reading) Professor Odette Hutchinson (PVC, Ulster University), Challenges and Opportunities for Universities [joining online] Dr. Jess Guth (Leeds Trinity), What if Law Schools Were Actually About (Social) Justice? [joining online] Dr. Sarah Hamill (Trinity College Dublin), Free Expression and Universities. |
| 11:15am-11:30am |
Coffee (Foxhill House, Room G03) |
| 11:30am-1pm |
Plenary Session Two: Reflecting on Practice… Chair: Professor James Devenney (University of Reading)
|
| 1pm-1:30pm |
Lunch (Foxhill House, Room G03) |
| 1:30pm-2:45pm |
Plenary Session Three: Reflecting on Challenges (Part One)… Chair: Dr. Mary Catherine Lucey (UCD)
|
| 2:45pm-3:00pm |
Cream Tea (Foxhill House, Room G03) |
| 3:00pm-3:50pm |
Plenary Session Four: Reflecting on Challenges (Part Two)… Chair: Dr. Andrea Miglionico (University of Reading)
|
| 3:50pm-4pm |
Final Thoughts and Next Steps: Sharon Sinclair-Graham (University of Reading) and Dr. Mary Catherine Lucey (UCD) |