Ethics and Justice in Translational Science
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates:
08/02/2027 - 12/02/2027
Study format:
Short intensive
Conceptual and theoretical approaches to ethical issues in translational health sciences
Scientific and technological advances in health research, including the expanding applications of artificial intelligence (AI), raise new and difficult questions for ethics: how, in a rapidly changing health landscape, can we ensure that research and innovation occurs ethically? The aim of this module is to train students in the application and integration of philosophical thinking to research and policy challenges in translational health sciences. Students will develop transferable skills that will enable them to think clearly about and address ethical issues they may encounter, both in their own professional domains and broader society.
The module will be structured around two learning approaches:
- Seminars
Seminars will cover a range of themes relevant to translational health science, through interactive discussion of real-world examples and examination of contemporary debates. For example:
- Research Ethics: What makes research ethical? What is the relationship between regulation and policy, and ethics?
- AI in Translational Health: What is the appropriate role for AI in the care context? How should we address issues like algorithmic bias? Can AI really live up to the hype?
- Data and Governance: Why is data privacy important, and how should it be balanced against public good? What is the role of trust in the ethics of data sharing, collection, and storage?
- Ethics and Technology: What is the role of ethical concepts like 'fairness', 'autonomy' and 'dignity' in debates about genetic enhancement or neurotechnology?
- Justice and Health: How should we manage health inequalities? Does unequal always mean unjust?
These discussions will develop your competence in pursuing careful reflection, conceptual clarity and coherent argumentation in the practical context of translational health science.
2. 'Author-Meets-Critics'
Students will be assigned a key paper, drawn from the current academic literature. Throughout the week, we will examine and critique the arguments presented in these papers, as a class and in pairs. At the end of the week, students working in small groups will present a critical reflection on their assigned paper directly to its academic author, followed by a wider class discussion with each author. This unique opportunity to discuss contemporary topics with subject-matter experts will allow students to put into practice the philosophical skills they've been developing throughout the week in a constructive and collegial environment.
Below is a selection of topics from previous years:
- The moral obligation to participate in clinical research
- The ethics of uterine transplantation
- The use of health data for machine-learning and AI
- Authenticity and deep-brain stimulation
- Researching involving children in LMICs
- The ethics of human-animal chimeras
- Mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers
- Paying people to adopt healthy behaviours
The last date for receipt of complete applications is 5pm Friday 15th January 2027. Regrettably, late applications cannot be accepted.
Course Aims
On completion of this module we expect our students to be able to:
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Ethically interrogate the practical and policy context of translational science, especially in relation to implementation of research findings at individual or organisational level
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Describe and critically engage with the rationale for governance in research generally, the social science of science and knowledge translation
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Critically evaluate the ethics of specific research studies by identifying and addressing relevant concerns including privacy and confidentiality, models of informed consent, risks and benefits to participants, and methodology specifically in relation to translational health science research
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Critically explore concepts and theories of justice with particular attention to their application to health inequalities, resource allocation, and their relationship to social determinants
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Critically explore the role of values, beliefs, expectations, culture and politics in science with particular attention to the way in which they influence translational health science
Research methods and techniques taught in this module:
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Conceptual analysis, argumentation (the methods of philosophical and theological ethics – constructing arguments, criticising arguments)
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Empirical ethics (the intersection of normative and empirical methodologies, bringing arguments about philosophical principles together with social science methodologies)
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Application of the above to the study of translational science
Entry requirements
Admissions Criteria:
To apply for the course you should:
- Be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
- Have professional work experience in the health service or a health-related field
- Be able to combine intensive classroom learning with the application of the principles and practices of translational health sciences within the work place
- Have a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing and Windows applications (for communications with course members, course team and administration)
- Show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and an employer’s commitment to make time available to study, complete course work and attend course and university events and modules.
- Be able to demonstrate English Language proficiency at the University’s higher level.
Programme details
The first weeks of this module is spent working on introductory activities using a Virtual Learning Environment, a week is then spent in Oxford for face-to-face teaching and group work (this takes place on the dates advertised), there are then a series of extended Post-Oxford activities (delivered through the VLE) over the following 4-6 weeks which are designed to support you in the preparation and delivery of the practical elements of your assignment. You will be required to submit your written assignment electronically (usually on a Tuesday at 14:00 UK Local Time).
Assessment methods
Assessment will be based on performance in a group presentation and submission of a written assignment which should not exceed 4,000 words.
Academic Credit
Applicants may take this course for academic credit. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for this course. Participants attending at least 80% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification. If you wish to discuss this possibility, please ensure you contact the Programme team at ths@conted.ox.ac.uk prior to applying for the course.
Applicants can choose not to take the course for academic credit and will therefore not be eligible to undertake the academic assignment offered to students taking the course for credit. Applicants cannot receive CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points or equivalence. Credit cannot be attributed retrospectively. CATS accreditation is required if you wish for the course to count towards a further qualification in the future.
A Certificate of Completion is issued at the end of the course.
Applicants registered to attend ‘not for credit’ who subsequently wish to register for academic credit and complete the assignment are required to submit additional information, which must be received one calendar month in advance of the course start date. Please contact us for more details.
Please contact ths@conted.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.
IT requirements
Please ensure that you have access to a computer that meets the specifications detailed on our technical support page.
Dr Mackenzie Graham – Co-Module Coordinator
Dr Mackenzie Graham is a Senior Research Fellow at the Ethox Centre and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities. Mackenzie’s research focuses on ethical questions arising from the application of medical imaging
Dr Mark Sheehan – Co-Module Coordinator
Dr Mark Sheehan is Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Ethics Fellow at the Ethox Centre and a James Martin Research Fellow in the Institute for Science and Ethics.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Short Course in Health Sciences | £3595.00 |
| Students enrolled on MSc in Translational Health Science | £2905.00 |
Funding
Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.
Discounts
If you are an employee of the University of Oxford and have a valid University staff card you may be eligible to receive a 10% discount on the full stand-alone fee. To take advantage of this offer please submit a scan/photocopy of your staff card along with your application. Your card should be valid for a further six months after attending the course.
Recommended reading
- Feiler, T. Gaitszell, K. Maughan, T. Hordern J. (eds) Personalised Medicine: the Promise, the Hype and the Pitfalls, The New Bioethics, 2017. 23.1.
- Mittelstadt BD, Floridi L. The ethics of big data: current and foreseeable issues in biomedical contexts. Science and Engineering Ethics 2016; 22 (2): 303-341.
- Sheehan M. In defence of governance: ethics review and social research. J Med Ethics 2018; 44 (10): 710-716.
Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms have been rated as 4-Star Campus accommodation under the Quality In Tourism scheme, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme. Accomodation is not included in the course fee.
Module code: O26C053B9Y
This course requires you to complete the application form and to attach a copy of your CV. If you are applying to take this course for academic credit you will also be required to provide a reference. Please note that if you are not applying to take the course for academic credit then you do not need to submit a reference.
Please ensure you read the guidance notes which appear when you click on the symbols as you progress through the application form, as any errors resulting from failure to do so may delay your application.
Part of:
- MSc in Translational Health Sciences, the Social Science of Innovation
and also available as an accredited short course in Health Sciences