Professor Cherie Metcalf, an expert in law and economics, public law and environmental law, began a three-year term in Queen’s Law’s top academic post on July 1. A Queen’s Law’02 graduate, she has clerked for both the Supreme Court of Canada and Federal Court of Appeal, and holds an LLM from Yale and MA and PhD degrees from the University of British Columbia.
Since joining Queen’s Law in 2004, she has been awarded four research grants, directed the school’s combined MA(Econ)/JD program, been invited to present her work at conferences at U.S. and U.K. universities, and published articles in leading Canadian and American law journals. Now she’s ready to take on the Faculty’s senior academic position.
Queen’s Law Reports interviewed Associate Dean Metcalf about her new role.
QLR: What have you been doing to prepare for your new role as Associate Dean (Academic) at the Law Faculty?
CM: The Associate Dean (Academic) has quite a diverse set of responsibilities that includes overseeing academic and clinical programs; teaching and administrative assignments for faculty; overseeing student issues and academic integrity; chairing the Orientation Review, Standing Marks and Adjuncts Appointment Committees; and supervising Teaching Fellows and sessional instructors.
It is challenging to try to prepare for all these aspects of the job. I have been spending quite a bit of time meeting with people who are closely involved. The list is long! Our outgoing Acting Associate Dean (Academic), Lisa Dufraimont was very helpful. She got me up to speed with matters that are ongoing, so we could have a smooth transition. Of course I miss terribly our former Associate Dean (Academic), Stan Corbett [who passed away in May]. I would have spent a lot of time talking to him about his experience in the role.
QLR: As Associate Dean, what did you do first?
CM: Tell my Dad – he was very excited!
More seriously, the first priority for me is to be sure that everything is in place for a smooth start to our academic year in September. One of the first specific things I worked on was the Academic Orientation for our incoming class. We are trying some new things – I think it will be great!
QLR: Which aspects of your new role do you look forward to most?
CM: I feel we are very fortunate to have a strong sense of community at Queen’s Law. I most look forward to working together with our dedicated faculty and staff, and our terrific students.
QLR: What are your goals as Associate Dean (Academic)?
CM: Queen’s is one of the best law schools in the country. As Associate Dean (Academic), I want to do whatever I can to insure we continue to provide an outstanding program for our students. Right now I feel I am still learning about our strengths and opportunities for us to innovate. The legal profession is changing and we need to be sure our program is dynamic so our students continue to have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful.