University of Pennsylvania’s Anita Allen Honored by the Hastings Center for Her Work in Bioethics

Anita L. Allen, the Henry R. Silverman Professor of Law and professor of philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania, received The 2022 Bioethics Founders’ Award from the Hasting Center. The Hastings Center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization created from multiple disciplines, including philosophy, law, political science, and education. The Hastings Center was a major contributor to the establishment of the field of bioethics in 1969.

The award recognizes individuals from around the world who have made substantial, sustained contributions to bioethics in ways that have advanced thinking and practice in medicine, the life sciences, and public policy. Professor Allen was recognized for outstanding contributions to law and philosophy and to their practical applications in medicine, science, and public affairs.

Dr. Allen’s research focuses on philosophical dimensions of privacy and data protection law, ethics, bioethics, legal philosophy, women’s rights, and diversity in higher education. She is the co-author of the textbook Privacy Law and Society (West Academic Publishing, 2016).

“Receiving the Founder’s Award for my work on health privacy, mental health morals, and genetics is something of which I am extremely proud and grateful. I hope I can to continue to earn this high recognition through service to the field,” Dr. Allen said.

Dr. Allen is a graduate of New College in Sarasota, Florida, and Harvard Law School. She also holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Michigan.