Keynote speakers at 2007 Conference

Keynote speakers at Learning in Law Annual Conference 2007 were Harry Arthurs, Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada, and Peter Williams, Quality Assurance Agency.

Harry Arthurs

The title of Harry’s address was Learning law in a global era. It explored the impact of globalisation on the law curriculum and outlined the ‘trans-systemic’ response adopted at McGill law school in Montreal – read full paper.

Harry is Emeritus Professor of Law and Political Science at Osgoode Hall Law School, and President Emeritus of York University, Toronto. He is one of Canada’s most distinguished legal academics, and has written extensively on legal education.

Peter Williams

The title of Peter’s address was The academic regulation of higher education.

Over the last 20 years the higher education sector in the UK has experienced significant changes in its size and shape. Accompanying these changes has been an evolution in the way higher education institutions, government and members of the public view the need for assurance in respect of the quality and standard of the education being provided.

The need for a negotiated balance between the autonomy of institutions and public accountability lies at the heart of the academic regulation of higher education. The development of the HERRG agenda (Higher Education Regulation Review Group) and recent developments in quality assurance in the UK and Europe have put new energy into an ever changing field. Peter’s address examined the nature of academic regulation, quality and standards, and discussed the relationship between higher education institutions, students and the state in an increasingly ‘commodified’ higher education world.

Peter is Chief Executive of the Quality Assurance Agency, and currently President of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education.

Last Modified: 9 July 2010