DICTAcareers
Why Academia?
My primary reason for choosing to work in academia is that I really enjoy the process of thinking
about the law. This may seem like a strange statement,
but the opportunity to analyse how the law operates
and how it might be improved is unique to academia.
One of my professors transitioned from practice into
academia and when I asked him why, he responded:
“the problem with practice is that we were just moving from case to case. I was using the law, but I was
never able to really think about
it. For example, we never sat
down after a case and said “hey,
what did we learn from this? I
missed analysing legal rules.”
In addition, this career
offers the opportunity to take
your knowledge and convey it
to others. Teaching students is
a lot of fun.* We really enjoy it
when you challenge your tutors, express your ideas,
and debate with your peers.
(*unless you are teaching students the morning
after a pub crawl or law ball, in which case it is an
exercise in keeping them awake!)
search profile, working alongside students in organising events, or helping to ensure that you have sufficient support in terms of career advice.
The Benefits of a Career
in Academia
There are a number of benefits to a career in
academia. As suggested above, the variety of this career is very appealing, as is the flexibility to pursue
my interests. In the last year, I have taught a wide variety of students, presented a
paper abroad, and participated
in some fascinating debates on
the future of legal education.
Academia also offers opportunities to connect with
practitioners. A number of my
colleagues conduct research
involving solicitors, barristers,
and even litigants themselves.
Furthermore, academics are seen as vital in helping
judges understand and develop new legal principles.
Some have even become judges themselves. For example, our Chancellor, Baroness Hale, started her legal career as an assistant lecturer at the University of
Manchester.
Overall, academia is a fascinating and varied career that wields considerable influence over the legal
profession. It is certainly not an easy path to follow,
but this is no different to other legal jobs. If you really
enjoy what you are doing, these problems become less
significant.
“Academics are seen
as vital to helping
judges understand
and develop new
legal principles.”
What do Academics
Actually Do?
A question I am often asked is, “what do you
actually do?” Let me start by correcting a myth: TV
shows are awful at depicting academics. We do neither
resemble the staff on Fresh Meat nor the cast of the
Big Bang Theory, though you might be able to think
of examples to the contrary…
Broadly, the role of an academic covers three areas: teaching, research, and administration.
You are already familiar with our teaching responsibilities, but our research role is something you
experience intermittently. We conduct research in our
specialist areas, which normally results in published
works or conference presentations. Often, your tutors
will be writing material at the cutting edge of their
field, and will be able to impart this knowledge to you
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