On 18 June 2024, Dr Edward Brooks, Executive Director of the Oxford Character Project, spoke at the University of Edinburgh’s conference on Public Exemplarity, Character, and Legal Culture. The event gathered leading scholars and practitioners to examine the role of exemplars in shaping legal institutions and public life.
Dr Brooks offered insights into the moral dimensions of legal culture. Drawing from his extensive work at Oxford, he emphasised how character virtues are essential for fostering ethical decision-making in law and governance. His reflections underscored the significance of intentional character formation in building trustworthy institutions and enhancing public confidence in legal systems.
At the Oxford Character Project, Dr Brooks has pioneered leadership programmes that equip emerging leaders with the moral and intellectual foundations necessary for ethical leadership. His talk at the conference illustrated how exemplary figures—past and present—continue to influence legal traditions, policy decisions, and the broader public sphere.
The discussions at the conference highlighted the urgent need for character-driven leadership in law and beyond. Dr Brooks’ contributions reinforced the importance of cultivating moral exemplarity within legal education and professional practice, offering a hopeful vision for a more just and principled legal culture.
For more details, visit Edinburgh Law School’s event page.