We can’t meet in person this year, but that doesn’t mean the research has stopped! In fact, in bioethics and health law, there’s more to be done than ever, and empirical research is playing a big part. To keep the conversation going, we’ve organised a webinar series on issues facing empirical ethics researchers. We hope you’ll join us for these interactive discussions, so we can support each other (from a safe distance) and continue to build capacity in empirical bioethics in this region.

DOING EMPIRICAL ETHICS RESEARCH IN A PANDEMIC
with Jane Williams and Chris Degeling
Wednesday 26 August
1-2pm AEST | 10-11am Singapore/Perth | 3-4pm NZST

Jane Williams PhD is a postdoctoral research fellow at Sydney Health Ethics at the University of Sydney. Her broad research focus is public health ethics. Recent work includes projects on planning for infectious disease emergencies. Previously she worked on cancer screening, reproductive ethics, and conflicts of interest in healthcare.

Abstract: I will talk about two Covid-19 focused interview projects: 1) looking at how school principals made and make public health decisions in an environment of great uncertainty, and 2) how people in mandatory quarantine in Australia managed the process. The rapidly changing environment meant that how ethics review was managed (e.g. speed, communications) has been central to the success and failure of these projects and dictated the shape of the studies.

Chris Degeling PhD is Senior Fellow at the Australian Centre for Engagement, Evidence and Values at the University of Wollongong. He is a social scientist specialising in empirical research in health. Chris’ research focuses on the intersection of public health ethics, public health policy and emerging issues at the human-animal-ecosystem interface.

Abstract: Doing empirical research during COVID-19 pandemic has plenty of challenges but also can be an opportunity to gain unanticipated insights.  My talk will focus on deliberative work I have been leading on the public acceptability or otherwise of using the COVIDSafe app as tool to enhance contact tracing.

Monday 5 October 2020
Speakers: Dr Wendy Lipworth and Dr Lisa Parker (University of Sydney)
10am-11pm Singapore time; 1-2pm AEDT; 3-4pm NZDT

Doing Empirical Ethics Research on Vulnerability and Agency in Global Health Research
Wednesday 18 November 2020
Speakers: A/Prof Phaik Yeong Cheah and Ms Napat Khirikoekkong (Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, University of Oxford)
10am-11pm Singapore time; 1-2pm AEDT; 3-4pm NZDT