Paul Dale

Qualifications

LL.M (with Distinction), in Human Rights, Crime and Justice, University of Birmingham

M.Ed in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (with Distinction), Aston University

M.B.A. in educational leadership and management (with Distinction), Anglia Ruskin

PG Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (with Distinction), Aston University

LL.B (hons), University of London

Teaching Interests

Paul’s teaching interests lie at the intersection of law, ethics, human rights and professional practice in healthcare. He teaches across a range of topics including medical law, clinical ethics, human rights law, consent and capacity, mental health law, confidentiality and data protection, professional regulation, and the ethical and legal implications of artificial intelligence and digital health technologies.

He has a particular interest in professionalism and fitness to practise, and in exploring how legal, ethical, human rights and technological developments apply in everyday clinical decision-making. His teaching is practice-focused and interactive, using case law, realistic scenarios and discussion to help students understand how these issues arise in clinical settings.

Paul is also interested in innovative approaches to teaching and assessment, including problem-based learning, simulation, and the use of digital tools to support student engagement and reflection.

Research Interests

Paul’s research interests are in medical law and ethics, with a particular focus on legal theory, professional regulation and decision-making in healthcare. His work explores how legal frameworks shape professional responsibility, accountability and ethical practice in medicine.

Paul is currently researching the legal and ethical limitations of capacity and refusal of treatment, particularly in complex or contested clinical contexts. This includes examining how autonomy is assessed in practice, the role of vulnerability and coercion, and how courts and clinicians navigate refusals of treatment where serious harm or risk is involved.

He is also interested in the ethical and legal implications of emerging technologies in healthcare, including artificial intelligence, and how these developments challenge existing legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks.

Membership of Professional Bodies

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Member, Association of Law Teachers

Member, Institute of Medical Ethics

Recent Publications

Paul Dale and Lauren Traczykowski, ‘Adapting Legal Education for Technological Changes in Business’, in Hauser Christia (eds), Responsible Management Education and the Digital Transformation Challenge (Palgrave MacMillan), 26 Mar, 2023

Paul Dale, Kris Lines and Claire Stocker, ‘Islands in the (Learning) Stream: Why multidisciplinary teams are more than just the sum of their parts’, in Lauren Traczykowski (eds), Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching for Management. Education (Edward Elgar), Feb 14, 2023

‘The changing role of the future lawyer: considering the impact of artificial intelligence and new technologies on the law programme’ (2022), Association of Law Teachers Conference, Manchester University

‘Interdisciplinary Legal Team Teaching – Medicine and Law’, Association of Law Teachers Conference (2021), Aston University with Basma Ikram

“On the Ethical Issues Arising from the new Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act 2019”, as part of a panel debate on “Presumed Consent for Organ Donation” - Dr Satya Sharma, MBE, Dr Majid Mukadam, Mr Paul Dale and Mr Kris Lines, Chair – Professor Pawan Budhwar (Aston University, December 2019)

External Roles

Visiting Professor and Academic Board Governor, Institute of Law, Jersey

Associate Lecturer – The Open University Law School

LLB Examiner (external) – University of London