The passing of Professor Margot Brazier

Margot first came to The University of Manchester to study Law as an undergraduate, graduating in 1971. Her initial career plan was to go to the Bar, but given her relative youth at the time, she decided she would wait a couple of years. In this interim period, she joined the (then) Faculty of Law as a Lecturer.

This career decision would also have a key impact upon Margot’s personal life, as she would subsequently marry one of her colleagues, Rodney Brazier, in 1974. Together the Braziers have remained at the heart of Law at Manchester for over 50 years.

Margot began as a tort scholar and this expertise led her to become co-editor of two key textbooks in the field. Research in this area then led her into reading North American case law on medical malpractice, which began her interest in the link between the law and healthcare. She published widely in this field to international acclaim. In recent years, Margot explored the history of medicine and its links with law, the topic of her most recent book.

In the early 1980s Margot met John Harris, a philosopher, also working at Manchester. They discovered shared interests and, together with other colleagues, decided to set up a Masters degree in Healthcare Ethics and Law. Margot also taught undergraduate students, inspiring many to continue their studies to postgraduate level. She supervised many PhD students who have benefited from her knowledge, wisdom and guidance.

In 1986 Margot and John also set up the Centre for Social Ethics and Policy (CSEP) which has become a leading research centre.

The current Co-Directors of CSEP (Sarah Devaney and Alex Mullock) reflect:

Margot was a truly inspirational person, not only because of her achievements, but also because she genuinely cared deeply about her students and her colleagues.

While Margot’s incredible intelligence and work ethic achieved so much within her scholarship and policy work, she never sacrificed her deep commitment to teaching and supervision. We feel so very fortunate to have been the beneficiaries of Margot’s generosity, and we know that many others feel the same. Margot’s friendship and mentorship has had a profoundly positive impact on medical law and ethics across the UK and beyond.

Sarah Devaney and Alex Mullock

Margot also used her expertise in public service. Not only an outstanding scholar who made a pioneering contribution to her field, she has also made an equally outstanding contribution as a public intellectual and leader in policy debate and law reform. Margot Chaired the Animal Procedures Committee (1993-98), led a review into surrogacy for UK Health Ministers (1996- 1998), Chaired the Retained Organs Commission (2001-2004) and Chaired a Working Party ‘The Ethics of Prolonging Life in Foetuses and the Newborn’ for the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (2004-2006).

Margot was an incredible mentor to so many students and academics and has been acknowledged as a ‘paradigmatic female role model’. Her enormous contribution has been recognised in many awards including an OBE (1997), Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (1993), Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (2007), Queen’s Council (honoris causa) (2008), Halsbury Legal Award for Academic Contribution (2013), University of Manchester Medal of Honour (2012) and Fellow of the British Academy (2014).

Alison Wilson, former Head of School Operations, and Sarah Tiffany-Dodman, Engagement and External Relations Manager, on behalf of all the Professional Services staff who knew and worked with Margot reflect:

Margot was petite and quietly spoken but she nevertheless commanded a huge presence and respect from all, not only because of her academic credentials but because she always made a sensible and constructive contribution to discussions. She was an excellent role model and instrumental in supporting so many young female academics career development.

She was also a very kind person who went out of her way to thank the Professional Services (PS) when they had done something for her, which was always appreciated, and she will be fondly remembered by the PS members of staff who had the pleasure of working with her.

Alison Wilson and Sarah Tiffany-Dodman