One of the key achievements of the ccClinic during 2007 was the introduction of its QUT undergraduate unit (LWB499). Designed as a specialist research unit open only to high-achieving students, the 13-week unit provided eight students from the Faculty of Law with the opportunity to work closely with industry experts and Clinic staff on in-depth research into a topic of relevance to the Creative Commons.
Particular emphasis was placed on the practical implementation of the CC model, with students encouraged to conduct interviews and surveys with real-world participants. This allowed students to develop unique legal skills and expert knowledge that can be applied to enhance creative innovation in the future. Two of the students are currently working with Clinic staff to develop their research for publication in academic journals.
Feedback from students on this initial offering of the Clinic unit has been overwhelmingly positive. One student, Paul Klugg, summed up his experience of working with the Clinic as follows:
Being involved with the ccClinic at QUT was a fantastic experience, allowing me to work closely with passionate faculty members to develop my legal skills in a cutting-edge environment with real-world application. It gave me my first chance to conduct in-depth research, and the opportunity to work with industry representatives from bodies such as the ABC and SBS, who were able to provide practical insight into the use of CC licensing and the problems of copyright in the digital age. The ccClinic is an outstanding course and I would recommend it to any student considering enrolling.