At the heart of relational theory lies the idea that the human self is fundamentally constituted in terms of its relations to others. For relational theorists, the self not only lives in relationship with and to others, but also owes its very existence to such relationships. In this groundbreaking collection, leading relational theorists explore core moral and metaphysical concepts, while health law and policy scholars respond by analyzing how such considerations might apply to more practical areas of concern.

Innovative and self-reflexive, Being Relational brings a powerful theoretical framework to health law and policy studies. In so doing, it makes a bold contribution to scholarship and will appeal to a broad range of thinkers, especially those with an interest in social justice, and who seek to understand the complex ways in which power is created and sustained relationally.

Jocelyn Downie holds a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy. She is a professor in the Faculties of Law and Medicine and a faculty associate of the Health Law Institute at Dalhousie University. She has an honours B.A. and an M.A. from Queen's University, an M. Litt from the University of Cambridge, and LL.B. from the University of Toronto, and an LL.M. and S.J.D. from the University of Michigan. Prior to her graduate work in law, she clerked for Chief Justice Lamer at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Professor Downie's research interests include assisted death, the governance of research involving humans, and women's health law and policy. Her current work is geared to contributing to the academic literature and affecting change in health law, policy, and practice.

Jocelyn Downie's profile page

Jennifer J. Llewellyn is an associate professor of law at Dalhousie University, and director of the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Community University Research Alliance.

Jennifer J. Llewellyn's profile page