Dr Nigel Wilson is the Director at Australis Chambers and award-winning author of Teaching Professionals, The Art of the Teaching Professional and How to Teach Professionals the Caissep Technique.

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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

I am an Australian lawyer, teaching professional and award-winning author of Teaching Professionals – The Art of the Teaching Professionals and How to Teach Professionals – The CAISSEP Technique (published by Archway Publishing). 

I have over twenty-eight years’ experience in legal education, curriculum development, and legal practice and have expertise in educational training programs in Universities, legal practices, workplaces, and judicial colleges.

2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

Always different. Take last Friday –  I was invited to guide an immersive, mock courtroom exercise for fourth and fifth year engineering students undertaking roles as digital forensics experts. 

The session was hosted by Dr Matthew Sorell, an international digital forensics expert at the University of Adelaide, and held in the Law School’s moot court. Student feedback was highly positive about a very engaging and practical session which sought to demystify the court and legal processes.

The balance of the day at Australis Chambers was filled with outcomes-based, professional legal advice and meetings until a mid-winter, Friday evening started the weekend’s activities with family and friends.  

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine? 

For many years I have worked extensively in remote workplaces, nationally and internationally, including “on country” with indigenous Australians.  My routine is always changing and varied.

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

Plan to expect the unexpected!  In leading teams and working with others, planning, preparation and being organized are key priorities.  Balance involves collaboration, empathy and insight, and placing “people first” to ensure their safety and well-being.

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life? 

With the international launch of Teaching Professionals in 2021, an even closer management of different time-zones!

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

In my professional legal practice I read extensively but I also enjoy both fiction and non-fiction.  I tend to keep more than one book on the go to keep variety, humor and new stories alive and also enjoy TED presentations.

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

Probably not on a sustained basis unfortunately, but I do try and have “tech-free” time during the day and, particularly, on holidays.

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

I have been highly influenced by a quote by Ana, a teacher from Peru, in the UNESCO Global Monitoring Report and which I included in Teaching Professionals:

I chose to be a teacher because I believe that education has the power to transform the society we live in. What motivates me to be a good teacher is to be an active agent in this change that is so necessary for my country, to fight against discrimination, injustice, racism, corruption and poverty. Our responsibility as teachers is enormous, and our commitment to provide quality education must be renewed every day.

I would be pleased to read an interview by Ana from Peru.

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

Illiteracy among adults internationally is estimated at 770 million, two-thirds of whom are women. 

It is my modest hope that with commitment and care, but with fewer resources at hand, Teaching Professionals and the CAISSEP techniques may provide positive, practical resources to assist teachers to reimagine education, accelerate change and improve literacy worldwide.

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