Institute for Science and Society

Role(s):

Biography

Pru graduated from the University of Edinburgh before studying for a PhD at the University of Nottingham in the Institute for Science and Society. Her thesis investigated organised resistance to childhood vaccination in the UK. This topic became increasingly politicised following media debate about the combined MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. Her thesis and associated publications contributed to social scientific literatures on trust, ethics, public understanding of science, and risk.

In 2006 Dr Hobson-West was awarded a Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Ethics to study the UK debate about the use of animals in scientific research. As a consequence of this, Pru was invited to spend a semester as a Visiting Fellow at Harvard University (Fall 2006).  

Pru joined the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2009 as a Lecturer in Welfare, Ethics and Society.

Current research

I use social science techniques to explore the relationship between animals, science and ethics. My previous emprical work has focused on how professionals (lab scientists, vets) discuss ethical issues, and how they deal with complex evidence and uncertainty.  I also have experience of analysing topics related to public perception of risk and public understanding of science.  My main methodological expertise is in the use of qualitative research methods to analyse documents, websites, focus group and interview data. 

Future research

I am currently involved with several grant applications to look at issues around animal welfare, scientists' use of ethics, and UK public policy around animal research.

Expertise summary

Dr Pru Hobson-West is a non-clinical lecturer in welfare, ethics and society. Since 2008 she has been a member of the Wellcome Trust Biomedical Ethics Interview Committee.