Developing engagement and a community of learning: Interventions with law students  

Our University Teaching Fellowship (UTF) project was designed in response to limited participation by law students with extra-curricular activities, and concerns over the level of engagement displayed by students within core curricula. The UTF project aimed to enhance engagement and a sense of community amongst law students through the implementation of interventions during Semester 1 of the 22/23 academic year. The interventions included extended induction activities, a Level 4 trip to London, a whole-course lunch, and careers-focused activities during a Semester 1 YFP Week. Along with students’ perceptions of engagement and community, the project examined the impact of these interventions on retention statistics and assessment performance.  

Through questionnaires and focus groups with students across all levels of the law course, the findings from the project demonstrate that the interventions enhanced students’ perceptions of being a part of a community and the importance of engaging with scheduled sessions. However, retention and performance metrics did not change. From the results, further recommendations for both core curricular and extra-curricular activities have been identified.