About this Conversation
“Every story is a brain story.” This motto from the Shen Neurolaw Lab challenges us to consider why understanding the brain is essential for responsibly integrating neuroscience into the legal system. By doing so, we can improve legal decision-making and outcomes while navigating the ethical and practical challenges involved.
In this TEDMED Conversation, Francis Shen, JD, PhD, explores the dynamic intersection of neuroscience, neurotechnology, and the law, examining how:
- Brain development research is shaping legal protections
- AI plays a pivotal role in processing neural data
- Balancing brain privacy and data security presents a critical policy challenge
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for progress
- Strong social connections are deeply linked to brain health
This conversation sheds light on how neuroscience is transforming the legal landscape—and why it matters.
Related content:
- On hurdling: https://www.twincities.com/2017/08/06/umn-law-professor-glad-he-took-the-leap-to-become-masters-hurdler/
- American Law Institute Talk: https://media.ali.org/annual-meeting/early-career-scholars-presentation-francis-x-shen/
- American Law Institute Award: https://law.umn.edu/news/2021-03-08-prof-francis-shen-wins-american-law-institutes-early-career-scholars-medal
- Dana Foundation Career Network in Neuroscience & Society: https://neuroXcareers.org
- Conversations with Dana Foundation President: https://dana.org/article/every-story-is-a-brain-story/
- Press Release for Neurotech Justice Accelerator at MGH: https://dana.org/article/neurotech-is-changing-the-way-we-treat-disease-and-understand-the-brain/
- Press Release for REACH for BRAIN Grant: https://www.martinos.org/reach-for-brain-improving-recruitment-engagement-and-access-for-community-health-equity-for-human-neuroimaging-research/
- Recently published book:https://academic.oup.com/book/56178
About Francis X. Shen
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Dr. Francis X. Shen is a leading expert in the evolving field of neurolaw, which studies the connection between the brain and the legal system. He works to understand how discoveries in neuroscience can help make our laws both equitable and effective. Francis’s motto is “Every story is a brain story,” which highlights that brain science is critical to understanding human behavior in a legal context. As the director of the Shen Neurolaw Lab, he conducts research on the legal, ethical, and practical issues that arise when neuroscience is used in court. His work explores a wide range of topics, from using brain scans to understand a person’s mental state to applying neuroscience in criminal justice and personal injury cases. Francis holds multiple prestigious roles. He is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Law, Brain, and Behavior and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. He also serves as a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and is a faculty member in the university’s Neuroscience Program. Francis is well-published and a highly respected voice in this emerging field. His work aims to ensure that as neuroscience advances, the legal system can adapt in a way that is both scientifically sound and ethically responsible.
