Who got that job?

Lecturer in law, School of Arts Department of Law, Surrey University
Job advertised in The Times Higher , February 6, 2004

The laughter and conversation that reverberate through the corridors of the law department at Surrey University are so loud that Regina Rauxloh has to close her office door to be heard on the telephone.

Dr Rauxloh is in the process of comparing the roles of the police in Britain and Germany, using knowledge gained writing a PhD thesis analysing criminal procedures in the former-German Democratic Republic.

But after four months at Surrey, there are some frustrations.

"Administration takes so long. Lecturers are supposed to be teachers, yet teaching takes up such a small part of my time," she says.

"Students must wonder what the teacher is doing with all her time. Well, the university is obsessed with bureaucracy. I'd like to change the balance and spend more time teaching and preparing courses."

Law lecturers cannot practise law, but instead advise on legislation, help with creating policy and, importantly, train future generations of practising lawyers.

"In my courses I want to encourage every lawyer to look abroad," Dr Rauxloh says.

"I strongly believe in comparative law. Being trained only in national law makes us take things for granted. By looking outside, we challenge our own ways of thinking, learn from our mistakes and are encouraged to do better."