We sat down with Professor Jurgita Malinauskaite who was recently appointed the Head of Brunel Law School.
A committed academic and distinguished professional, Professor Malinauskaite has been at Brunel Law School since 2008. In those 15 years, she worked her way up to the level of Professor, and is certainly someone who knows the inner workings of Brunel Law School like the back of her hand. Professor Malinauskaite has worked closely with most faculty and staff members at Brunel Law School, and it is this closeness to and familiarity with our community that are are going to help her navigate the exciting years ahead.
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in academia and eventually become the Head of Brunel Law School?
Since my childhood, I always wanted to be a teacher. I found this profession to be so rewarding since it is about inspiring the next generation. While practicing law, namely competition law, at the Competition Council in Lithuania, I decided to do a PhD. Given the limited amount of knowledge of competition law in Lithuania back then, I came to the UK. There were some truly wonderful women at the University of Westminster who inspired me to become an academic, embarking on this lifelong learning adventure.
In my previous role at Brunel as a Divisional Lead (Private and Commercial law), I was an acting Head of Department on several occasions. I also had an opportunity to learn from the previous Head of Department, Professor Arad Reisberg, who helped me to understand the complexities of the role.
2. What is your vision for Brunel Law School? How do you see our School in the next 5-10 years?
My vision for Brunel Law School is to strengthen our diverse community, while embracing the feeling of belonging, with the growth of the school. I am fully committed to and passionate about making a positive difference in people's lives, creating a work environment where both staff and students will feel appreciated and supported.
Building on the Law School’s successes, I aim to enhance the school’s visibility locally, nationally and internationally. One of the examples on how we contribute to the society is our Brunel Legal Advice Centre that provides pro bono legal services to the community with the help of our staff and students. In this way, our students not only engage with the practical side of law, but they also get a deeply rewarding experience as they witness the tangible difference they can make in the lives of others.
The satisfaction level of our students is another of my top priorities. By working with the Student Success tutor and Assistant Head (Student Experience), we will explore new ways of setting up student feedback hubs. We will also work closely with the Law Society, ensuring that students are more engaged with the School’s activities.
I have instigated plans to review the existing Postgraduate programmes as well as introducing three new programmes (LLM in Artificial Intelligence; LLM in Environmental, Social, and Governance; and LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution), ensuring they meet the current market and are sustainable. Building on the UG placements success, we will also be looking at how to expand placements for our PGT students.
In line with its current strategy and research trends, Brunel Law School will be continuing its contribution to the development of a vibrant research culture across the College, the University and beyond. While working with colleagues from other disciplines, my vision is to make Brunel Law School the home for a new research centre with an emphasis on human rights, building on the remarkable work done by our two Brunel professors, Professor Alexandra Xanthaki and Professor Javaid Rehman, who currently serve as the United Nations Special Rapporteurs.
3. How do you see technology and changing legal trends shaping the law school experience for students in the years to come?
Our society is constantly changing and technology, like it or not, is already disrupting the legal profession, as well as law schools. In our recent Strategic Away Day, we discussed how ChatGPT and other technologies create challenges for law academics, while simultaneously, they can also present opportunities.
Our law students should have an understanding of AI since AI-driven technologies can enhance both access and efficiency for legal services. At Brunel Law School, we are planning to introduce a new module that will examine the emergence and use of AI in the legal profession and any potential risks posed by AI in law.