Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"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: twincities.com/2017/08/06/umn-law-professor-glad-he-took-the-leap-to-become-masters-hurdler
-American Law Institute Talk: 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: neuroXcareers.org
-Conversation with Dana Foundation President: dana.org/article/every-story-is-a-brain-story
-Press release for Neurotech Justice Accelerator at MGH: dana.org/article/neurotech-is-changing-the-way-we-treat-disease-and-understand-the-brain
-Press release for REACH for BRAIN grant: martinos.org/reach-for-brain-improving-recruitment-engagement-and-access-for-community-health-equity-for-human-neuroimaging-research
-Recently published book: academic.oup.com/book/56178
"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: twincities.com/2017/08/06/umn-law-professor-glad-he-took-the-leap-to-become-masters-hurdler
-American Law Institute Talk: 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: neuroXcareers.org
-Conversation with Dana Foundation President: dana.org/article/every-story-is-a-brain-story
-Press release for Neurotech Justice Accelerator at MGH: dana.org/article/neurotech-is-changing-the-way-we-treat-disease-and-understand-the-brain
-Press release for REACH for BRAIN grant: martinos.org/reach-for-brain-improving-recruitment-engagement-and-access-for-community-health-equity-for-human-neuroimaging-research
-Recently published book: academic.oup.com/book/56178
