About the Mason Institute
The Mason Institute is based at the University of Edinburgh and located within the School of Law. It serves as an interdisciplinary research Institute, which aims to investigate legal and ethics issues at the interface between health, medicine and the life sciences on a national and global scale. It provides internationally-recognised academic and policy leadership in health policy, law and ethics, as well as life science governance.
The Mason Institute is dedicated to conducting innovative world class research, and raising the quality, quantity, and awareness of the research being undertaken, individually and in cooperation with other national and international partners at the University of Edinburgh. As an institution, we provide evidence-based research and policy advice and are a nexus for international collaboration and exchange, drawing on and pulling together a diverse collection of existing networks and forging new ones. Research to date has produced standards and guidance for policymakers and industry, nationally and internationally.
The work of the Mason Institute focuses on the following objectives:
- Developing a vibrant, connected, cohesive research community, centred on health policy, law and ethics, as well as life science governance, but transcending disciplinary and departmental boundaries.
- Establishing itself as a world-leading centre of research excellence with international “name-brand” recognition.
- Publishing internationally-leading research and policy outputs in the areas of health policy, law and ethics, as well as life sciences governance.
- Becoming a focal point in Edinburgh and beyond for nurturing and supporting future academic leaders in legal and ethical issues at the interface between health, medicine and the life sciences.
- Enhancing knowledge exchange and engagement with publics, policy-makers and other stakeholders around matters of current and emerging interest in the health, medical and life science fields.
- Committing to the decolonisation of research and teaching in health, medical law and ethics fields, and the promotion of a greater understanding of its importance to research, teaching and policy engagement within areas of the MI’s remit.
The Mason Institute is founded in the Edinburgh Law School, but operative across several Schools at the University of Edinburgh and beyond, and serves as a nexus for international collaboration and exchange.
Mason Institute Executive Committee
Director
Executive Committee
Dr Agomoni Ganguli- Mitra
Deputy Director
Ms Josephine Greenbrook
Deputy Director
Ms Zahra Jaffer
Deputy Director
Dr Catriona McMillan
Deputy Director
Dr Emily Postan
Deputy Director
Ms Ruby Reed-Berendt
Deputy Director
Ms Rebecca Richards
Deputy Director
Ms Annie Sorbie
Deputy Director
The J Kenyon Mason Institute for Medicine, Life Sciences and Law strives to reflect the openness of spirit and mind exemplified by Professor JK Mason, and to contribute to academia, public life, and the wider society through ground-breaking research and teaching. Professor Mason was Regius Professor of Forensic Medicine in the University from 1973-1985 and Honorary Fellow in the School of Law from 1985 until his death on 26 January 2017.
Prof Mason’s work and commitment to Edinburgh perfectly embody the ideals to which the Mason Institute aspires. The institute reflects the interdisciplinary interests of Ken and others at the University towards collaborative, supportive, impactful and engaging research and teaching. The Mason Institute’s vision includes a commitment to be a centre of excellence that is genuinely University-wide, internationally-oriented, and which emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary working at the interface of medicine, science, social sciences and law.
In Memoriam: Professor John Kenyon (Ken) Mason (1919 – 2017)
Obituary: Professor Ken Mason, medical jurisprudence pioneer
Mason Institute membership is open to individuals from all sectors and backgrounds who wish to contribute to the Mason Institute’s activities and outputs, and participate jointly in research, knowledge exchange and capacity building.
The Mason Institute seeks to create an open and vibrant community at the interface of medicine, life sciences and law, and will maintain open communication with it members on opportunities for growth and collaboration.
If you would like to become a member, please fill in the form on the below link. Please do contact us at mason.institute@ed.ac.uk if you have any questions.
