Moral Injury
Moral injury is the deep emotional and psychological suffering that arises when we witness, carry out or experience acts that violate our core moral values.
My Churchill Fellowship in 2016, Transforming Trauma: Moral Injury and the Arts with military veterans, families and communities, introduced me to this deeply human concept and offered a new lens for understanding workplace distress. When we are confronted by situations and demands that challenge our moral compass, it hurts us and without space for reflection and support, we may become morally injured.
I am currently writing A Practitioners Guide to Moral Injury: How to sustain yourself and others in morally challenging contexts. This book will be published by Routledge in late 2026. I have written and presented on moral injury and in 2022, established a social enterprise, Moral Injury Partnership, with Sophie Redlin and Simon Edwards, two other Churchill fellows, offering restorative retreats for frontline professionals impacted by moral injury and burnout. This work has been evaluated in partnership with the International Centre for Moral Injury at Durham University.
Introduction to Moral Injury in Frontline Professions
“A thought-provoking and inspiring session with an expert who has worked extensively in this field. A safe space was created to learn and explore ideas in. I left the training with much to think about…including the relationship between vicarious trauma, moral distress and moral injury.”
Understanding of moral injury evolved in the military context when soldiers were unable to reconcile acts committed with their personal moral codes. The covid pandemic increased awareness of its relevance to healthcare staff and all who work on the human frontline. In a recent survey of doctors by the BMA, 78% said the terms moral injury or moral distress resonated with their experiences. Moral injury is increasingly recognised across multiple professions, including nursing, social work, homelessness services, academia and the criminal justice system.
This introductory workshop will
Introduce participants to moral injury and how it presents in frontline contexts.
Present emerging research in this field and offer guideposts for practice which support prevention and moral repair.
Invite attendees to consider what the concept of moral injury means for us and fellow frontline professionals.
Consider how using moral injury as a framework might stengthen our ability to work holistically and compassionately, helping us look after ourselves and guard our own moral wellbeing.