Lucy York

Lucy initially worked as a research scientist before completing degrees in Commerce and Law. Following her admission to practice, she worked for the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department in the Copyright Law Review Committee Secretariat and then as the Communication Law Centre’s solicitor. 

Lucy also worked on the conceptual design and development of a professional legal information website, before completing a degree in educational studies. During this time her interest in educational legal issues was piqued. Her background in media and communications law and policy made her particularly alert to the problematic issues surrounding the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in school settings.

Research Topic
Teacher professional standards and government education and technology policies, require teachers to use ICT as an integral part of their teaching practice. There are both implied and explicit requirements within the standards for teachers to understand the legal framework under which they operate generally and in relation to ICT. However, studies indicate that teachers share the general lack of understanding of relevant legal issues in this area.

Lucy’s research will examine whether preservice teachers in New South Wales have adequate levels of legal literacy to deal with legal and ethical issues associated with use of information and communication technologies in schools.

Real World Outcomes
General or “cyber-specific” legal education is minimal in many teacher education courses and it is hoped that this research will result in recommendations for preservice teacher education and improved support for graduate teachers in developing legal frameworks for practical application in daily work.