Meet the Lecturer: Dr. Sharon Le Gall
Can you briefly describe your academic path from law school to your current position here today?
I attained my Ph. D. degree from the University of Cambridge in 2009. My doctoral thesis explores issues of intellectual property, traditional knowledge and cultural property in the context of protecting collective knowledge associated with cultural signifiers in the Caribbean and the Americas, with specific emphasis on the steel pan of Trinidad and Tobago. I attained my Master of Laws Degree in Intellectual Property Law at the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada, in 1994, and my Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies in 1987. I was formerly Course Director and Lecturer in Intellectual Property Law and the Law relating to Equitable Remedies at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. I am also engaged by WIPO as a Consultant and member of a
Meet the Lecturer: Dr. Sharon Le Gall
with Clay Hackett & Stephanie Rajkumar
CARICOM Working Group to develop a legal framework of protection for Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions and Genetic Resources. I now lecture in Real Property I and Equitable Remedies at St. Augustine.
What was your biggest challenge as a student and how did you overcome it?
I did not totally enjoy law until the Masters level due to the standard courses offered during my undergraduate degree. But I overcame that boredom by understanding the importance of doing the course.
How has your international experience impacted on you and your career?
It offers the opportunity to broaden horizons. There are experiences such as meeting people and making new relationships, and learning in a different environment than that of the institution you were formerly based at. Also, we have significant contributions to make as well, especially in the legal sphere. Therefore, I would encourage any student with such an opportunity to take it.
How has your experience as a lecturer been in this transitional period?
I have had a mixed experience. On one hand I very much enjoy interacting with students. On the other hand, there is the huge challenge of resources. Also challenging for me was undertaking the task of tutoring all students and also responding to submissions in a timely fashion.
Do you see any potential drawbacks with a full undergraduate programme in St. Augustine?
First of all, those studying just in Trinidad may only have the Trinidadian legal perspective. The downside may be the lack of a multijurisdictional perspective, as the main focus would be Trinbagonian legislation. Another downside to this is missing the regional outlook, for example in terms of mixing with regional students.
How do you think the St. Augustine Law Society can aid in fostering that sense of regionalism that Attorneys who studied in Barbados can boast of?
This can easily be done by reaching out to counterparts in Jamaica and Barbados. The former is relevant as they have recently undergone a similar expansion. Also arranging visits should be an annual undertaking.
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