Dr. Anita Yadav is currently working as an Assistant Professor of Law at Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi. Prior to that, she has worked as an Assistant Professor of Law at the National Law School of India University Bangalore, Christ University and Dr. Ambedkar Govt. Law College, Puducherry.
She is a recipient of various International and national fellowship and scholarship awards. In 2018 she received United Nations Asia & Pacific Regional course International Law fellowship. She was an Erasmus Mundus visiting research scholar at Georg-August University of Goettingen, Germany (2015-2016) and also a visiting fellow at the United Nations Human Rights Committee, Geneva. She has been awarded The Hague Academy of International Law scholarship in the year 2016 and the Junior Research Fellowship in Human Rights and Duties from University Grants Commission, New Delhi. She has published various research papers nationally and internationally.
1. Hello Madam, Please introduce Yourself to Our Readers.
At the outset, I would like to thank Law Corner team members for giving me this opportunity to share my experiences and academic Journey. I am Dr. Anita Yadav, currently working as an Assistant Professor (Law) at Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi. Prior to that, I had worked as an Assistant Professor (Law) at Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Puducherry for which I qualified an interview conducted by Union Public Service Commission, Delhi and was the youngest faculty member in the qualifying list. Before moving to Puducherry I worked as Assistant Professor (Law) at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore, wherein I was associated with Hon’ble Mr. Justice S. Rajendra Babu (Former Chief Justice of India) to teach LL.M. students. I also had an opportunity to work at School of Law, Christ University, Bangalore as a faculty member for more than a year.
I completed my Ph.D. (Doctorate Studies) from National Law School of India University, Bangalore, during my Ph.D. programme I received a prestigious Erasmus Mundus Doctoral exchange scholarship and was visiting research scholar at the Institute of International and European Law, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Germany. I completed my two year Masters Programme (LL.M) in Human Rights Law from National Law School of India University, Bangalore and hold a bachelors degree (LL.B. Hons.) from Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow.
It was because of my strong interest in research and academia that I went on to secure prestigious scholarships including the ‘United Nation Asia & the Pacific Regional Course in International Law fellowship’ organized by the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs at Bangkok. I am also a recipient of the Hague Academy of International Law scholarship for Public International Law session in July 2016 and the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Human Rights and Duties from University Grants Commission, New Delhi.
2. What interested you to take up Law as a profession?
Coming from a family with members in police and law enforcement, I was always exposed to many law issues which I heard from my father and elder brother (working as Assistant Professor of Law). This inclined me towards taking up law as my profession.
3. Tell Us A Bit About Your Study Time During College Life.
Honestly speaking I was quite focused and a sincere student throughout my college life. My mother always encouraged me to prioritize studies. Her words made me realise the importance of education, especially for women in India. This steered me towards trying to utilise all the opportunities that came in my way. I diligently attended all my classes and took notes of lectures delivered by professors at university. Finally, as it is said ‘hard work pays off’, these very notes proved to be useful for many competitive exams like CLAT, UGC JRF and helped me in clearing various interviews for teaching positions.
4. Did You Pursue Any Extracurricular Activities Such as Mooting, Debate, Seminar and Sports? How Did This Contribute to Your Holistic Development? Do You Think Such Activities Are Important in Law Student’s Life?
Being focused towards studies did not mean that I remained confined within the four walls of my classroom. I was an active participant in all extracurricular activities which took place during my academic journey. I can still recall golden memories of my first mooting experience when I was adjudged as best mooter in my VII semester of LL.B. (Hons) at Law Faculty, Lucknow University. I even participated in those extracurricular activities which took place outside the college like going to seminars and doing sports (I love running and skipping). Participating in all these activities helped me in gaining confidence, enhanced my communication skills, developed my leadership qualities and ability to work as a team member. Currently, I am a teacher member of the Moot Court Society Committee at Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi. I have had an opportunity to train and mentor many students in various institutions for moot competitions and I strongly believe that all these extracurricular activities are very important for a student’s life.
5. Did You Ever Have an Internship Experience During Your College and How Much Internship Is Important for A Law Student?
Yes, of course, I did several internships during my college time. I interned in Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission, Institute of Judicial Training & Research (Uttar Pradesh), Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, Common Cell & HUPA (Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation) at NLSIU, Bangalore, to name a few. All these internships were very useful as they aided me in strengthening my research skills and most importantly to find out my interest area. A law student must do an internship in their respective interest areas since you never know it could turn out as a gateway to your future job.
6. When Would You Say That an Academician Is Successful?
The term success is a very relative term. According to me, seeing a twinkle in the eyes of my students when they understand what I explain is the most satisfactory success in academics. It is a great feeling.
7. What skills do you think are required for a career of academics?
In an academic career, effective communication skill is one of the important skills one should possess. Apart from that, a good academician should be a good researcher also. During my LL.M. days at National Law School, Bangalore, Prof. Sairam Bhat provided me with the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant through which I was able to discover and develop my research skills and realized my passion for teaching.
8. Please Tell Us About Your Teaching Methodology.
My teaching methodology depends on the topic I am dealing with. I believe one teaching method can not be employed for all subjects in law. However, majorly I use ‘case method’ style for discussing case laws. Sometimes I use question & answer sessions, discussion and ‘SOAR strategy’ which is an effective method in the teaching-learning process.
S- Select, O- Organise, A-Associates, R- Regulate.
One should keep in mind there is no shortcut to success. So put your heart, mind and soul even to the smallest of your ventures.
10. Lastly, What Would Be Your Message to People Who Want to Take Up A Career in Teaching?
While understanding law is by itself empowering, being a law teacher is an added privilege and responsibility as one is in a unique position wherein they can shape the future empowerers. It is a very rewarding pursuit. Teaching is a very noble profession and I am truly glad that I choose it as my profession. This journey of mine is beautiful and absolutely worth it. At last, I would like to say that one should have passion and willingness to work hard in the teaching profession.
