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Professor Richard Ashcroft

Executive Dean

The City Law School

Contact details

About

Overview

Richard Ashcroft is the Executive Dean for The City Law School. He joined The City Law School in September 2019 as Deputy Dean and Professor of Bioethics. He is the University’s lead for sustainability as well as being the University’s neurodiversity champion.

Previously he was Professor of Bioethics at Queen Mary, University of London, where he had been Deputy and Acting Head of the Department of Law.

He is an expert on biomedical research ethics and public health ethics, with more than 200 publications in these fields. He has had numerous public roles, including most recently a year as an Alan Turing Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute (2018-19), working on ethics and artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Qualifications

  • PhD, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, September 1990 - December 1995
  • BA (Hons), University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, September 1987 - July 1990

Employment

  • Executive Dean, City St George's, University of London, United Kingdom, December 2022 - present
  • Chair, Senate Research Ethics Committee, City St George's, University of London, United Kingdom, August 2020 - September 2022
  • Deputy Dean, City St George's, University of London, United Kingdom, September 2019 - December 2022
  • Professor of Bioethics, City St George's, University of London, United Kingdom, September 2019 - present
  • Professor of Bioethics, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom, September 2007 - September 2019
  • Professor of Biomedical Ethics, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom, May 2006 - August 2007
  • Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader in Medical Ethics, Imperial College London, United Kingdom, March 2000 - April 2006
  • Lecturer in Ethics in Medicine, University of Bristol, United Kingdom, January 1997 - March 2000
  • Research Fellow in Philosophy, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, November 1995 - December 1996

Languages

French (can read), German (can read) and Italian (can read, speak, understand spoken)

Publications

Publications by category

Books (3)

  • Ashcroft, R.E., Dawson, A., Draper, H. and McMillan, J.R. (Eds.), (2006). Principles of Health Care Ethics. Wiley. ISBN 9780470027134.
  • (2006). Part Introduction. Wiley. ISBN 9780470027134.
  • Ashcroft, R., Lucassen, A., Parker, M., Verkerk, M. and Widdershoven, G. (Eds.), (2005). Case Analysis in Clinical Ethics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521835497.

Chapters (40)

  • Germain, S., Ashcroft, R. and Benatar, S.R. (2025). International Perspectives on Resource Allocation. International Encyclopedia of Public Health (pp. 355-362). Elsevier. ISBN 9780323972802.
  • Ashcroft, R. (2022). A Philosopher Looks at ‘Law and Medical Ethics’. Law and Legacy in Medical Jurisprudence (pp. 43-61). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108842433.
  • Schüklenk, U. and Ashcroft, R.E. (2020). Affordable access to essential medication in developing countries: Conflicts between ethical and economic imperatives. Ethics and AIDS in Africa the Challenge to Our Thinking (pp. 127-140).
  • Wallace, S.E. and Ashcroft, R. (2019). Ethical Issues in Statistical Genetics. (pp. 551-30). Wiley. ISBN 9781119429142.
  • Ashcroft, R. (2017). Equipoise, Knowledge And Ethics In Clinical Research And Practice. Human Experimentation and Research (pp. 433-445). Routledge.
  • Schüklenk, U. and Ashcroft, R.E. (2017). Affordable access to essential medication in developing countries: Conflicts between ethical and economic imperatives. Health Rights (pp. 279-295).
  • Schiiklenk, U. and Ashcroft, R.E. (2017). Affordable access to essential medication in developing countries: Conflicts between ethical and economic imperatives. Health Rights and Globalisation (pp. 123-139).
  • Benatar, S.R. and Ashcroft, R. (2017). International Perspectives on Resource Allocation. International Encyclopedia of Public Health (pp. 316-321). Elsevier. ISBN 9780128037089.
  • Ashcroft, R. (2016). Hanging around with Jackson: Consistency in ethical argument, and how to avoid it. From Reason to Practice in Bioethics (pp. 44-55).
  • Ashcroft, R. (2016). Ethical Issues in a Trial of Maternal Gene Transfer to Improve Foetal Growth. Research Ethics Forum (pp. 247-263). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783319265100.
  • (2015). CLINICAL RESEARCH CONTRACTING— A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE. In Outsourcing in Clinical Drug Development (pp. 71-84). CRC Press.
  • Ashcroft, R. (2015). Ethical considerations in outsourced clinical trials. Outsourcing in Clinical Drug Development (pp. 73-85).
  • Ashcroft, R. (2015). Hanging around with Jackson: consistency in ethical argument, and how to avoid it. From Reason to Practice in Bioethics an Anthology Dedicated to the Works of John Harris (pp. 44-55).
  • Ashcroft, R.E. (2015). Bioethics: Philosophical Aspects. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (pp. 631-636). Elsevier. ISBN 9780080970875.
  • Ashcroft, R. (2014). Incentives in health: Ethical considerations. Routledge Companion to Bioethics (pp. 302-311).
  • Ashcroft, R. (2013). Medical Ethics. Reader S Guide to the History of Science (pp. 454-456).
  • Bell, J., Reed, K.D., Ashcroft, R., Witton, J. and Strang, J. (2012). Treating opioid dependence with opioids: Exploring the ethics. Addiction Neuroethics the Ethics of Addiction Neuroscience Research and Treatment (pp. 57-74).
  • Bell, J., Reed, K.D., Ashcroft, R., Witton, J. and Strang, J. (2012). Treating Opioid Dependence with Opioids. Addiction Neuroethics (pp. 57-74). Elsevier. ISBN 9780123859730.
  • Ashcroft, R. (2012). Human Research Subjects, Selection of. Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics (pp. 653-664). Elsevier. ISBN 9780123739322.
  • Ashcroft, R.E. (2012). Health Technology Assessment. Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics (pp. 556-565). Elsevier. ISBN 9780123739322.
  • Ashcroft, R.E. and Dixon-Woods, M. (2011). The Social Forms and Functions of Bioethics in the United Kingdom. Bioethics Around the Globe (pp. 76-92). Oxford University PressNew York. ISBN 0195386094.
  • Ashcroft, R. (2011). Smoking, health and ethics. Public Health Ethics (pp. 85-99). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521868976.
  • Bell, J., Reed, K.D., Ashcroft, R., Witton, J. and Strang, J. (2011). Treating Opioid Dependence with Opioids: Exploring the Ethics. Addiction Neuroethics the Ethics of Addiction Neuroscience Research and Treatment (pp. 57-74).
  • Ashcroft, R. (2009). IS IT IRRATIONAL TO HAVE CHILDREN? Cutting Through the Surface (pp. 183-195). BRILL. ISBN 9789042027398.
  • Ashcroft, R. (2008). The Troubled Relationship Between Bioethics and Human Rights*. Law and Bioethics (pp. 31-51). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199545520.
  • Ashcroft, R.E. and Viens, A.M. (2008). Clinical trials. The Cambridge Textbook of Bioethics (pp. 201-206). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521872843.
  • Ashcroft, R.E. (2007). Ethics Issues in Statistical Genetics. (pp. 1323-1345). Wiley. ISBN 9780470058305.
  • Ashcroft, R., Campbell, A.V. and Capps, B. (2007). Ethical Aspects of Developments in Neuroscience and Drug Addiction. Drugs and the Future (pp. 439-465). Elsevier. ISBN 9780123706249.
  • Ashcroft, R., Campbell, A.V. and Capps, B. (2006). Ethical Aspects of Developments in Neuroscience and Drug Addiction. Drugs and the Future Brain Science Addiction and Society (pp. 439-465).
  • Ashcroft, R.E. (2006). The Ethics and Governance of Medical Research. (pp. 681-687). Wiley. ISBN 9780470027134.
  • Ashcroft, R. (2006). Race in medicine: From probability to categorical practice. Nature of Difference Science Society and Human Biology Pbk (pp. 135-153).
  • Ashcroft, R. (2005). ‘Power, corruption and lies’: ethics and power. Case Analysis in Clinical Ethics (pp. 77-94). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521835497.
  • Parker, M., Ashcroft, R., Verkerk, M. and Widdershoven, G. (2005). Philosophical reflections. Case Analysis in Clinical Ethics (pp. 225-230). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521835497.
  • Ashcroft, R., Parker, M., Verkerk, M. and Widdershoven, G. (2005). Philosophical introduction: case analysis in clinical ethics. Case Analysis in Clinical Ethics (pp. 1-6). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521835497.
  • Ashcroft, R.E. (2005). Current Epistemological Problems in Evidence-based Medicine. Evidence-based Practice in Medicine and Health Care (pp. 77-85). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. ISBN 9783540222392.
  • Corrigan, O. (2004). Genetic Databases. Routledge.
  • Goodenough, T., Williamson, E., Kent, J. and Ashcroft, R. (2004). Ethical protection in research: including children in the debate. Researchers and their Subjects Ethics Power Knowledge and Consent (pp. 55-72).
  • Ashcroft, R.E. (2004). Bioethics. Gynecologic Cancer (pp. 855-863). Elsevier. ISBN 9780443071423.
  • Ashcroft, R.E. (2001). Ethics of Clinical Trials: Social, Cultural and Economic Factors. The Advanced Handbook of Methods in Evidence Based Healthcare (pp. 25-37). SAGE Publications Ltd.
  • Ashcroft, R.E. Genetic Information and “genetic Identity”. Genetic Information (pp. 207-218). Springer US. ISBN 9780306460524.

Conference papers and proceedings (24)

  • Karampatakis, G.D., Wood, H., Li, X., Griffiths, C., Taylor, S., Mihaylova, B.... De Simoni, A. Experiences of a primary care intervention promoting use of an online health community (OHC) for adults with troublesome asthma: Qualitative interview study. ERS Congress 2025 abstracts.doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2025.pa746
  • Burman, M., Zenner, D., Copas, A., Goscé, L., Haghparast-Bidgoli, H., White, P.... Kunst, H. S39 Is the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection amongst recent migrants safe and effective in primary care? British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting 2021 Online, Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 November 2021, Programme and Abstracts.doi:10.1136/thorax-2021-btsabstracts.45
  • Burman, M., Zenner, D., Copas, A., Gosce, L., White, P., Hickson, V.... Kunst, H. Is the Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Amongst Recent Migrants Safe and Effective in Primary Care? .
  • Brown, C., Brown, K., Jackson, D., Jones, B., Scale, T., Ashcroft, R.... Mikhail, A. NEW NICE GUIDANCE: TESTS FOR IRON DEFICIENCY FRIEND OR FOE? .
  • Gibbs, J., Sutcliffe, L.J., Gkatzidou, V., Sonnenberg, P., Hone, K., Ashcroft, R.... Estcourt, C.S. P12.02 Developing and using the eclinical care pathway framework: a novel tool for creating online clinical care pathways and its application to management of genital chlamydia. .doi:10.1136/sextrans-2015-052270.482
  • Estcourt, C.S., Gibbs, J., Sutcliffe, L.J., Gkatzidou, V., Tickle, L., Hone, K.... Sonnenberg, P. O14.1 Is an automated online clinical care pathway for people with genital chlamydia (chlamydia-occp) within an esexual health clinic feasible and acceptable? proof of concept study. .doi:10.1136/sextrans-2015-052270.153
  • Gibbs, J., Gkatzidou, V., Tickle, L., Manning, S.R., Tilakkumar, T., Hone, K.... Estcourt, C.S. P12.03 How accurate and comprehensive are currently available mobile medical applications (apps) for sexually transmitted and genital infections: a comprehensive review. .doi:10.1136/sextrans-2015-052270.483
  • Sheppard, M.K., Spencer, R.N., David, A.L. and Ashcroft, R. Evaluation of the ethics and social acceptability of a proposed clinical trial using maternal gene therapy to treat severe early-onset fetal growth restriction in pregnant women. .
  • Gibbs, J., Sutcliffe, L., Ashcroft, R.E., Sonnenberg, P., Sadiq, S.T. and Estcourt, C. DEVELOPMENT OF AN ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING SYSTEM, LINKING SPECIALIST SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES AND COMMUNITY PHARMACIES TO SUPPORT AN ONLINE CLINICAL CONSULTATION FOR REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF PEOPLE WITH GENITAL CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS WITHIN THE ESTI2 CONSORTIUM. .
  • Gibbs, J., Sutcliffe, L., Sadig, T., Sonnenberg, P., Ashcroft, R., Gkaczidou, V.... Estcourt, C. DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED ONLINE CLINICAL CONSULTATION WITH ELECTRONIC ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIBING FOR THE REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF GENITAL CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTION WITHIN THE ESTI2 CONSORTIUM. .
  • Ashcroft, R., Brown, C., Williams, J. and Mikhail, A. PENTOXIFYLLINE. A TARGETED TREATMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ESA HYPORESPONSIVENESS. .
  • Leber, W., McMullen, H., Marlin, N., Bremner, S., Santos, A.C., Terris-Prestholt, F.... Griffiths, C. Point-of-care HIV testing in primary care and early detection of HIV (RHIVA2): a cluster randomised controlled trial. .
  • Mein, G., Seale, C., Tinker, A., Bhamra, S. and Ashcroft, R. Does altruism and reciprocity play a part in participation in longitudinal health research studies? Findings from the British Whitehall II study Gill Mein. .
  • Müller-Wille, S. and Rheinberger, H.-.J. Race and Genomics. Old Wine in New Bottles? .doi:10.1007/s00048-008-0301-6
  • Tutton, R., Smart, A., Martin, P.A., Ashcroft, R. and Ellison, G.T.H. Genotyping the Future: Scientists' Expectations about Race/Ethnicity after BiDil. .doi:10.1111/j.1748-720x.2008.292.x
  • Ashcroft, R.E. Scientific or Social Priorities for Brain Science? – Making a Difference. .doi:10.1177/026010600701900215
  • Thiele, F. and Ashcroft, R.E. Bioethics in a small world. .
  • Ashcroft, R.E. and Franey, C. Further ethical and social issues in using a cocaine vaccine: response to Hall and Carter. .doi:10.1136/jme.2003.005017
  • Ashcroft, R.E. Drugs symposium: introduction. .doi:10.1136/jme.2004.009589
  • Swift, T.L., Ashcroft, R.E., Dieppe, P.A. and Tadd, W. The virtuous patient: what personal qualities do arthritis patients think they should possess? .
  • Ashcroft, R. Equipoise, Knowledge and Ethics in Clinical Research and Practice. .doi:10.1111/1467-8519.00160
  • Ashcroft, R. To feed or not to feed? Ethical issues in nutritional support. .
  • Ashcroft, R. One year on: LRECs & MRECs in the West Country: meeting report. .
  • Thiele, F. and Ashcroft, R. Introduction. .doi:10.1007/3-540-26951-7_1

Journal articles (190)