Beyond the Numbers: How to Create a Diverse Environment in Law School

• In Event: Common Ground on Diversity: Research on Inclusiveness in Professions Education

Abstract

Concerted effort has been devoted to diversifying law schools. Despite this progress, little attention has been paid to what happens in law school as diversity increases. An extensive body of research has illustrated the educational benefits of increased diverse interactions. However, research has also illustrated that environmental factors, such as competition between students, impact whether increased diverse interactions lead to positive outcomes or whether they can actually increase prejudice and tension between groups of students. This research explores how law schools (an inherently competitive environment) can encourage collaborative, diverse interaction. Findings illustrate that several factors including perceptions of a supportive and friendly law school environment, interactions with faculty members and pro bono work are related to increased collaborative, diverse interactions.

Authors

• Heather Haeger, California State University - Monterey Bay

• Louis Rocconi, University of Tennessee

• John Zilvinskis, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Chad Christensen, Indiana University - Bloomington