[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post Text” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
In June 2025, the University of Manchester became a centre for a growing legal movement,\u00a0hosting a two-day conference on\u00a0 Therapeutic Jurisprudence (TJ). This project aimed to\u00a0transform high-level research into practical curriculum changes for our\u00a0 students.<\/p>\n
Here is a look at the rationale, outputs, and impact of connecting Law and Psychology.<\/p>\n
Rationale: Why Therapeutic Jurisprudence?<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe healthcare and legal systems face unprecedented pressure. Rising health disparities,\u00a0complex court decisions, and\u00a0 inequalities based on age, race, and socio-economic status require\u00a0a new approach.<\/p>\n
The primary goal of this project was to explore how the legal system can act as a \u2018therapeutic\u00a0agent.\u2019 Instead of viewing the law\u00a0 as a cold, neutral force, Therapeutic Jurisprudence looks at\u00a0how legal processes affect the emotional and psychological well-being of people involved.<\/p>\n
We wanted to identify the unintentional harms caused by legal processes and move beyond\u00a0rigid interpretations of law to a\u00a0 more complete understanding. Importantly, we aimed to ensure\u00a0that this modern and compassionate approach was not just\u00a0 discussed in conference halls but\u00a0actively taught to the next generation of lawyers and healthcare leaders.<\/p>\n
Project Output and Curriculum Delivery<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe project helped produced two key outputs: an international conference and the creation of\u00a0new teaching resources.<\/p>\n
1. The Conference<\/strong> Organised by Professor Nicola Glover-Thomas (Law) under the auspices\u00a0of the International Society for\u00a0 Therapeutic Jurisprudence UK Chapter, the event brought\u00a0together established academics, including Dr. Jaime Lindsey (Reading\u00a0 University) and Dr.\u00a0Anna Kawalek (Leeds Beckett University). We hosted global experts including Professor Amy\u00a0Campbell\u00a0 (University of Illinois Chicago), Dr. Nigel Stobbs (Queensland University of\u00a0Technology), and Dr. John Stannard OBE (Queen\u2019s, Belfast) who explored everything from\u00a0maternity services to cognitive decline in older adults.<\/p>\n2. Curriculum Development<\/strong> To ensure these insights reached our students, I successfully\u00a0secured \u00a3400 from the SoSS\u00a0 Diversifying the Curriculum Fund. This funding was key in\u00a0bringing our academic discussions to life.<\/p>\nIt allowed us to hire Suzanne Farg, a PhD student in Law, who helped synthesise the conference\u00a0findings. Together, we\u00a0 transformed complex academic papers into new undergraduate lecture\u00a0materials and case studies.<\/p>\n
These materials will be integrated into the syllabus for the undergraduate module, Medicine,\u00a0Patients and the Law. Instead of\u00a0 abstract legal tests, students will engage with diverse, realworld case studies – ranging from Approved Mental Health Professionals facing regulatory\u00a0challenges to the holistic legal practices promoted by practitioners.<\/p>\n
Reception and Evaluation<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe response to the initiative has been very positive. Delegates at the conference described it\u00a0as enjoyable, insightful, and\u00a0 informative, highlighting the supportive atmosphere.<\/p>\n
While the new curriculum materials are just beginning to roll out, feedback from the conference\u00a0shows students are eager for\u00a0 this content. The focus on the \u2018life course\u2019 – examining\u00a0vulnerabilities from birth to old age – resonates with students who are\u00a0 more socially aware. By\u00a0grounding the law in human experience, we find that students engage more deeply with the\u00a0material.<\/p>\n
Navigating Challenges<\/strong><\/h4>\nTurning high-level, interdisciplinary conference papers into accessible undergraduate teaching\u00a0material is challenging. One issue we faced was balancing the complex theories of Therapeutic\u00a0Jurisprudence with the practical needs and expectations of a\u00a0 law degree.<\/p>\n
It takes time and care to distil complex psychological and sociological ideas into legal case\u00a0studies without losing essential\u00a0 details. Additionally, discussing sensitive topics like traumainformed care and mental health inequalities requires a thoughtful\u00a0 approach to ensure the\u00a0classroom remains a safe space for learning.<\/p>\n
Next Steps<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe next step is to fully implement these materials in the upcoming academic year, along with\u00a0student feedback surveys to\u00a0 assess their impact on understanding health law more broadly.<\/p>\n
The conference has established a clear agenda: the law should serve as a tool for healing. By\u00a0incorporating these principles into\u00a0 our teaching, we ensure that Manchester graduates enter the\u00a0professional world equipped not only with legal knowledge but\u00a0 also with the holistic mindset\u00a0needed for the future of health and social care.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.17.6″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”off” parent_locked=”off” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n
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The project helped produced two key outputs: an international conference and the creation of\u00a0new teaching resources.<\/p>\n
1. The Conference<\/strong> Organised by Professor Nicola Glover-Thomas (Law) under the auspices\u00a0of the International Society for\u00a0 Therapeutic Jurisprudence UK Chapter, the event brought\u00a0together established academics, including Dr. Jaime Lindsey (Reading\u00a0 University) and Dr.\u00a0Anna Kawalek (Leeds Beckett University). We hosted global experts including Professor Amy\u00a0Campbell\u00a0 (University of Illinois Chicago), Dr. Nigel Stobbs (Queensland University of\u00a0Technology), and Dr. John Stannard OBE (Queen\u2019s, Belfast) who explored everything from\u00a0maternity services to cognitive decline in older adults.<\/p>\n 2. Curriculum Development<\/strong> To ensure these insights reached our students, I successfully\u00a0secured \u00a3400 from the SoSS\u00a0 Diversifying the Curriculum Fund. This funding was key in\u00a0bringing our academic discussions to life.<\/p>\n It allowed us to hire Suzanne Farg, a PhD student in Law, who helped synthesise the conference\u00a0findings. Together, we\u00a0 transformed complex academic papers into new undergraduate lecture\u00a0materials and case studies.<\/p>\n These materials will be integrated into the syllabus for the undergraduate module, Medicine,\u00a0Patients and the Law. Instead of\u00a0 abstract legal tests, students will engage with diverse, realworld case studies – ranging from Approved Mental Health Professionals facing regulatory\u00a0challenges to the holistic legal practices promoted by practitioners.<\/p>\n The response to the initiative has been very positive. Delegates at the conference described it\u00a0as enjoyable, insightful, and\u00a0 informative, highlighting the supportive atmosphere.<\/p>\n While the new curriculum materials are just beginning to roll out, feedback from the conference\u00a0shows students are eager for\u00a0 this content. The focus on the \u2018life course\u2019 – examining\u00a0vulnerabilities from birth to old age – resonates with students who are\u00a0 more socially aware. By\u00a0grounding the law in human experience, we find that students engage more deeply with the\u00a0material.<\/p>\n Turning high-level, interdisciplinary conference papers into accessible undergraduate teaching\u00a0material is challenging. One issue we faced was balancing the complex theories of Therapeutic\u00a0Jurisprudence with the practical needs and expectations of a\u00a0 law degree.<\/p>\n It takes time and care to distil complex psychological and sociological ideas into legal case\u00a0studies without losing essential\u00a0 details. Additionally, discussing sensitive topics like traumainformed care and mental health inequalities requires a thoughtful\u00a0 approach to ensure the\u00a0classroom remains a safe space for learning.<\/p>\n The next step is to fully implement these materials in the upcoming academic year, along with\u00a0student feedback surveys to\u00a0 assess their impact on understanding health law more broadly.<\/p>\n The conference has established a clear agenda: the law should serve as a tool for healing. By\u00a0incorporating these principles into\u00a0 our teaching, we ensure that Manchester graduates enter the\u00a0professional world equipped not only with legal knowledge but\u00a0 also with the holistic mindset\u00a0needed for the future of health and social care.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.17.6″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”off” parent_locked=”off” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n +44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_id=”address” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\nReception and Evaluation<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Navigating Challenges<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Next Steps<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Contact Us<\/h4>\n
Find Us<\/h4>\n
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