معرفی
Alan East is Head of the Leicester De Montfort Law School at De Montfort University, within the Faculty of Business and Law. He is a non-practicing Solicitor-Advocate with extensive experience in criminal litigation and prison law, having co-founded a legal practice and served as a District Crown Prosecutor. He transitioned into higher education in 2010 and has since become a nationally recognized innovator in legal education.
Education:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, Distinction – Coventry University (2013)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Commendation – The College of Law Guildford (2001)
- LL.B (Hons) Upper Second Class – Coventry University (2000)
Alan’s research and teaching expertise centers on clinical legal education, criminal law, family law, and the law of evidence. He is renowned for pioneering innovative teaching methods, including the use of mobile remote telepresence robots for international legal clinics, student representation in real tribunals, and arts-based pedagogy such as Shakespeare-based learning. His work emphasizes experiential, technology-enhanced, and socially engaged legal training.
His publications and conference presentations reflect a strong trend toward innovation in legal pedagogy, technology integration, and global engagement. Themes include telepresence in advocacy, problem-based learning, online international collaboration, and access to justice. These works span disciplines such as legal education, evidence law, and criminal justice reform, showcasing a consistent focus on transforming traditional legal instruction into dynamic, real-world experiences.
Scientific Awards:
- National Teaching Fellowship, Advance HE (2023)
Alan has played a significant role in shaping legal education policy as an elected Council Member of the Law Society of England and Wales and former Chair of its Education and Training Committee. He contributed to the SQE national reference group and served on multiple Law Society committees. He has advised or consulted for bodies including the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Society for Public Health as an external verifier. He has supervised various academic and professional development initiatives and is actively involved in mentoring the next generation of legal educators.
Alan leads initiatives that integrate community legal services, international partnerships, and technological innovation within the law school. His work with mobile telepresence robots and multi-partner clinical programs exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to legal education, emphasizing real-client engagement, global citizenship, and digital fluency.
