Omar Madhloom awarded ALT conference prize for best joint paper, co-presented with Law Clinic students

Omar Madhloom and Law Clinic students Husnaa Haaniyah Mohd Sahid and Shiyun Lee at the Association of Law Teachers conference.

27 April 2023

The Law School’s Omar Madhloom, together with Marc Johnson (Cardiff Metropolitan University), was awarded The Chris Gale Memorial Prize at the Association of Law Teachers conference last week, 18 April 2023, where they presented their research in collaboration with University of Bristol Law Clinic students Husnaa Haaniyah Mohd Sahid and Shiyun Lee.

The Association of Law Teachers (ALT) conference’s Chris Gale Memorial Prize is awarded to the best joint paper presented at the conference and aims to celebrate values of collegiality, collaboration and support in legal education research.

Omar and Marc’s paper, entitled 'Addressing implicit bias: A theoretical model for promoting integrative reflective practice in live-client law clinics', developed a reflective model to minimise student bias in law clinics.

They collaborated with two third-year University of Bristol Law Clinic students, Husnaa Haaniyah Mohd Sahid and Shiyun Lee, in presenting their research. The students discussed the benefits of the reflective model to their clinical experience and how it has helped them provide better client care. 

Omar said: "We are absolutely delighted to be awarded this prestigious prize! Bristol's Law Clinic is not only a means to access to justice for many clients but also provides students with the opportunity to engage in research and develop their legal acumen."

Commenting on their presentation, Husnaa said: “The conference and preparing for it were my first real introduction to the world of academia, and the ‘Behind the scenes’. Before arriving, I had to admit I had always been intimidated by this field, but everyone I met at the conference was welcoming and encouraging. It was also a brilliant networking opportunity, and I would definitely recommend anyone who is considering to give it a try.”

Shiyun said: "Getting involved in the process from preparing the presentation to attending the conference provided me with a lot of valuable insight into the academic world, not to mention it's my first exposure as well. I also got the opportunity to put my practical experience in the Law Clinic and the theoretical knowledge together.

“It was nerve-wracking initially having to present in front of legal academics and educators, but everyone was so friendly, welcoming and supportive! I am really grateful for all the advice I have received from people I met at the conference too. Overall, it was an eye-opening experience that I highly recommend anyone to take part in when such opportunities arise!"

Further information

Omar Madhloom is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol Law School. His passion for combining the academic and the vocational stages of legal training has seen the Law School’s Clinical Legal Studies module evolve to improve the way the students think about, and interact with, clients, further enhancing both their future employability and the service they provide for Clinic clients.

The University of Bristol Law Clinic provides students with an opportunity to gain real-life experience of law, offering free legal advice and support to members of the public under the supervision of Law School staff.