University ombuds: issues for fair and equitable complaints resolution

Increasingly, universities around Australia are appointing university ombuds to assist in the resolution of student complaints against academics. This paper explores a number of key issues relevant to the dispute resolution practice of university ombuds, particularly in relation to ensuring fair and equitable process and outcomes

The “I belong in the LLB” program: Animation and promoting law student well-being

This article argues that the growing body of empirical evidence on law students’ high levels of psychological distress creates an imperative for curricular and extra-curricular strategies to address this issue. We highlight recent initiatives at QUT Law School designed to support law student well-being that are informed by insights from positive psychology. In particular, we explain our use of animation, which is an engaging medium to promote students’ appreciation of the importance of psychological well-being in law school and beyond

A compulsory dispute resolution capstone subject: An important inclusion in a 21st century Australian law curriculum

The Australian legal profession, and Australian legal education, have experienced significant change over the last three decades. There has, for example, been an exponential increase in the use of forms of dispute resolution (DR) other than litigation to resolve legal disputes, and legal education has evolved to include a stronger focus on the teaching of legal skills and values. This article contributes to the literature arguing that DR should no longer simply constitute part of the elective choices available to law students, but rather should be embedded within the LLB and JD core curricula. First, the article considers the recent scholarship on DR in Australian legal education, most of which supports the view that due to the demands of contemporary legal practice, every graduating law student should now have an opportunity to engage with DR knowledge, skills and attitudes as part of their legal education. Second, the best way to teach DR in the core curriculum is considered. We propose that a capstone DR subject has great potential to support student transition out of law school, to provide closure on their learning, and to promote engagement for deep learning outcomes in the final year

Embodying life-long learning: Transition and capstone experiences

This paper discusses the principle of Transition as it has been conceptualised by the Curriculum Renewal in Legal Education project. The project sought to develop a principled framework for renewing the final year of tertiary legal education in Australia. Capstone experiences were chosen as the most appropriate mechanism for assisting final year students to manage the transition process. Thoughtfully designed capstones assist students to integrate and synthesize their learning over their entire degree program, facilitate closure on the undergraduate experience, and assist students to transition from student to emerging professional. We discuss the importance of addressing final year students’ transitional needs and explain how the principle facilitates this process. Although the framework has been developed specifically for legal education in Australia its approach enables transferability across disciplines and institutions. The framework addresses criticisms that universities and law schools are not meeting the needs of final year students by preparing them for the transition to graduate life in a complex and uncertain world

Understanding the information experiences of parents involved in negotiating post-separation parenting arrangements

The paper presents findings from a study into the information experiences of people needing to make post-separation parenting arrangements. Data was collected from 20 participants, through in-depth, semi-structured, telephone interviews. Thematic analysis identified five major themes: Following, Immersion, Interpersonal, History and Context which depict the information experiences of the participants. The findings can be used as an evidence base to inform the design and delivery of support and services provided by government agencies and other community groups supporting the legal information needs of individuals and families. The work extends current understandings of information experience as an object of study in the information science discipline

Teaching independent learning skills in the first year: A positive psychology strategy for promoting law student well-being

Empirical evidence in Australia and overseas has established that in many university disciplines, students begin to experience elevated levels of psychological distress in their first year of study. There is now a considerable body of empirical data that establishes that this is a significant problem for law students. Psychological distress may hamper a law student’s capacity to learn successfully, and certainly hinders their ability to thrive in the tertiary environment. We know from Self-Determination Theory (SDT), a conceptual branch of positive psychology, that supporting students’ autonomy in turn supports their well-being. This article seeks to connect the literature on law student well-being and independent learning using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as the theoretical bridge. We argue that deliberate instruction in the development of independent learning skills in the first year curriculum is autonomy supportive. It can therefore lay the foundation for academic and personal success at university, and may be a protective factor against decline in law student psychological well-being