Beacon 2023 – Limits to Autonomy

Beacon 2023 – Limits to Autonomy

Date: 24^th March 2023

Every year, students of the intercalated BSc Bioethics programme at the University of Bristol hold an annual student-led conference as an extracurricular activity. The conference is primarily aimed at students from the University of Bristol and University of West England. Since 2019 the conference has also acted as a widening participation event, with school-aged students invited to get a taste of university. Under plans to revise the intercalated programme at Bristol Medical School, the student-led conference will become an integrated part of the new iBSc Healthcare Ethics and Law programme (previously BSc Bioethics), with students formally recognised for their contributions and achievement of transferable skills through their involvement in organising and participating in this prominent event in the academic calendar.

The Beacon 2023-Limits to Autonomy event was a resounding success. A sizeable audience of over 50 attendees from across the academic spectrum enjoyed 4 talks from leading ethical scholars; Harleen Johal, Adeline Perrot, Lucy Series and keynote speaker Maximilian Kiener. The audience comprised a mix of both local sixth form students, who had expressed interest in medical ethics or the more clinical aspects of autonomy discussions, alongside academics and students from across the university.

Discussions ranged from women’s reproductive choices in the context of prenatal genetic genome-wide sequencing to a fascinating dive into best interests decisions and autonomy which bridged the gap between the theoretical and the practical applications of patient capacity. The event also saw 12 “elevator pitch” style discussions from a cohort of BSc Bioethics students, who discussed and took questions pertaining to their chosen final dissertation topics. Engaging question and answer sessions were featured following each talk, facilitating audience discussion and allowing for greater clarification on the great number of complex concepts introduced across the day.

The support of the IME allowed the event to fund the travel costs of speakers both too and from the event, a feat that would not have been achievable otherwise. Additionally, it meant that we could invite international speakers from the continent who were able to apply their unique perspectives upon the relevant topics. We are exceedingly grateful for the support of the institute in what was a particularly stimulating and engaging conference which we look to replicate next year.

Harris Aldridge, Student, Centre for Ethics in Medicine

University of Bristol