UBC Law Innocence Project – Law & Journalism Collaboration

The UBC Law Innocence Project is initiating an revised program that includes the inter-disciplinary launch of the first Law-Journalism Innocence Project in Canada. Building on a previous pilot program funded from external sources, this new proposal (1) carries out proposed modifications of the supervisory structure and curriculum for the Law component of the program and (2) creates opportunities for journalism students to practice investigative journalism skills learned in the classroom by applying them to real life wrongful conviction files. Journalism students will participate in a weekly wrongful convictions seminar offered by the law school and then participate in the Innocence Project casework as investigators working with the law students to review documents, interview witnesses and determine possible avenues of investigation which could lead to new evidence of innocence. This project significantly enhances teaching at both the Law and Journalism schools through collaboration between the units and provides sustainable benefits to students through the creation of a high-impact experience with learning outcomes that prioritize real world experience and community engagement.

The Faculty of Law is pursuing private and government funding to ensure the long term success of the Innocence Project. While proposals have been submitted for 2011/2012 academic year funding, no funding is currently in place. The current TLEF proposal will provide either base or expansion funding for the revised new Innocence Law Program in 2011/12.

Tamara Levy, Faculty of Law
Mary Lynn Young, Journalism, Faculty of Arts