Best Interests in Theory, Practice and Relation
Workstream 4 is designed to allow BABEL to broaden its perspective, by formally engaging with people outside of the core research team and allowing new research ideas around best interests to evolve and flourish. It has done this by offering 3 PhD studentships and establishing a visiting fellows programme.
This workstream allows BABEL to benefit from the expertise of others, support and train promising young researchers, and broaden its academic reach by engaging with scholars from around the world.
Three BABEL PhD studentships commenced in autumn 2019.
BABEL PhD studentships
Three BABEL PhD studentships commenced in autumn 2019. You can read the BABEL students’ biographies on our People page. You can read more about their research below.
Harleen Kaur Johal
Harleen is based in the Centre for Ethics in Medicine. Her BABEL PhD aims to explore conflict resolution in the adult intensive care unit for incapacitated adults (CRITICAL). The research explores whether disagreements arise during the ‘best interests’ decision-making process, and how different people experience these disagreements if they occur. The ultimate aim is to improve the management of disagreements in adult ICUs, by identifying methods for anticipating, avoiding and addressing disagreements. As part of the study, she will be talking to the different groups of people involved in making these decisions, including professionals, former ICU patients, and their friends and family.
Jordan Parsons
Jordan is based in the Centre for Ethics in Medicine. His BABEL PhD explores best interest decisions in nephrology, with a focus on dialysis decisions. As dialysis is not a curative therapy, it is unclear whether it is always or automatically in the best interests of patients who lack capacity. Jordan’s PhD will consider if, and when, it may be appropriate for patients without capacity to begin and end dialysis; when alternatives such as conservative care ought to be pursued; and what factors should be considered in making these decisions.
Martha Scanlon
Martha is based in the Centre for Health, Law and Society. Her BABEL PhD (Who Decides?) aims to investigate practitioner decision-making in inpatient adolescent mental healthcare. The study aims to investigate how practitioners navigate the legal framework governing decision-making about admission and treatment of children and young people in inpatient mental health facilities, with a view to informing future law and policy in this area.