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This Indian Ethicist Is Changing How the World Thinks About Medicine and Morality

 


In a proud moment for India’s academic and ethical community, Dr. Piyali Mitra has been shortlisted for the Tribute Global Digi Awards for Women 2025 in the category of “Excellence in Bioethics and Public Philosophy.” This recognition isn’t just a personal milestone—it highlights the global impact of ethical thought leadership rooted in Indian scholarship.

A prominent voice in bioethics and public philosophy, Dr. Mitra is currently the Deputy Editor of the Asian Bioethics Review, based at the Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore. Her work consistently bridges disciplines, tackling ethical challenges across biomedicine, artificial intelligence, reproductive health, and public life.

Speaking about her nomination, Dr. Mitra shared a heartfelt reflection:

“It is a great pleasure and honour to be shortlisted for the Tribute Global Digi Awards for Women 2025 under the ‘Excellence in Bioethics and Public Philosophy.’ This nomination is a validation of the work I have embarked upon in the field of bioethical study. I have been working with various bioethical groups across the continent and I think a lot of the recognition is for my colleagues I have been working with. So, I view it as sort of a joint award. It is a team kind of thing that really validates how much I value the contribution. Nomination for such awards provides an impetus and encouragement to work diligently and contribute to ensure research integrity and development in the public philosophy.”

Dr. Mitra also serves as Director and Secretary of the International Centre for Applied Ethics & Public Affairs (ICAEPA), based in Sheffield, UK. Through this role, she champions public engagement in ethical debates that touch on biotechnology, environmental issues, medicine, and AI. Her vision is both global and deeply personal—grounded in service, collaboration, and the pursuit of ethical justice.

Her academic journey is equally remarkable. With a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Calcutta, where she specialized in Reproductive Ethics and Bioethics, Dr. Mitra has shaped important discussions around medical care and women's autonomy. She has also studied Interreligious Understanding and Religious Communication at the Woolf Institute, University of Cambridge, and is currently part of the Centre for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), Washington, USA.

Her editorial commitments extend to the Ethical Dilemmas in Philosophy series (2024–2025), under the Public Philosophy initiative of the American Philosophical Association. Her writing features in leading academic journals and edited volumes, including The Routledge Companion to Indian Ethics: Women, Justice, Bioethics and Ecology, published by Taylor and Francis.

Looking ahead, Dr. Mitra is focused on deepening her research and expanding ethical practice in healthcare, especially for women.

She also remains committed to using her international experience to contribute back to India:

“My skill sets and experience will help augment care for women and human care, challenging the set ethical rules in medical practices.”

Dr. Mitra is keenly aware of the social and cultural pressures that women continue to face—especially the unrealistic expectations around perfection and appearance.

“Stop looking at women as an epitome of perfection because women are human and they faulter. Beauty is skin deep. It is wrong to judge women by her skin colour.”

Outside of her academic and professional life, she finds inspiration in both science and literature. Agatha Christie ranks as her favorite writer for the way she “racks the brain” and tells gripping stories. In science, Madame Marie Curie remains a guiding light for her commitment to both research and teamwork.

As the final selection for the Tribute Global Digi Awards for Women 2025 approaches, Dr. Piyali Mitra’s nomination is not just a feather in her cap—it’s a powerful signal of the global value of ethical scholarship, especially when championed by Indian women leading from the front.

Read about all six shortlisted women in our feature here:
🌐 https://www.theholisticpine.com/2025/04/6-indian-women-shortlisted-for-tribute.html

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