Retaining Our Best: Imposter Syndrome, Cultural Safety, Complex Lives and Indigenous Student Experiences of Law School

Abstract

UNSW Law Faculty has one of the most advanced offerings nationally for Indigenous law students, aimed both at providing pathways for entrance into legal studies, and academic and pastoral support throughout degree programs. In 2017, research was conducted into the experience of Indigenous students in the Faculty of Law, to evaluate what has been done well, what could be done better, and where the Faculty should look to next in growing its support for Indigenous law students. The research includes original primary research, in the form of a digital survey of present and past Indigenous law students, and two focus groups, one with current students and one with graduates. This paper will outline two of the issues that Indigenous students say are most challenging about attending law school. These are: the experience of imposter syndrome and the lack of institutional flexibility around the complex lives of many Indigenous law students. The research also discusses factors that are protective against discontinuation of studies, including fostering of cultural safety in the classroom and on campus, and attention to the needs of the whole students, including mental health and the needs of student parents. With the voices of the students firmly at the forefront, the paper includes recommendations for some priority areas in Indigenous student support in tertiary legal education.