Francine Ryan, “A Virtual Law Clinic: A Realist Evaluation of What Works for Whom, Why, How and in What Circumstances”

This study evaluates students’ experiences of a virtual law clinic informed by a realist evaluation framework and the use of interview-derived qualitative data. Realist evaluation is a theory-driven approach to understanding “what works for whom, in what contexts and how.” The realist approach evaluates social systems and structures. The process seeks to understand how an intervention may result in different outcomes in different circumstances through a consideration of how underlying mechanisms change in certain contexts. 

Establishing a supportive supervisor relationship in the virtual clinic context is important because it encourages students to engage in clinic activities and motivates them to learn. Students were more frequently engaging with clients outside of the view of supervisors. Thus, supervisors were required to do more to support student autonomy while not leaving students feeling isolated. Supervisors ensured that students felt supported by sitting in with other students during the interviews with clients via one of the many online platforms. Supervisors are important mechanisms in facilitating the provision of feedback, support and supervision of clinical activities.

Francine Ryan, “A Virtual Law Clinic: A Realist Evaluation of What Works for Whom, Why, How and in What Circumstances” (2020) 54:2 Law Teacher 237. Accepted manuscript available.