Dr Laura O'Donovan

School of Law

Lecturer in Law

Deputy Director of Education (Assessments and Scrutiny)

Staff member Laura O'Donovan
Profile picture of Staff member Laura O'Donovan
l.odonovan@sheffield.ac.uk

Full contact details

Dr Laura O'Donovan
School of Law
AF01
Bartolome虂 House
Winter Street
91直播
S3 7ND
Profile

I joined the School of Law in September 2024 as a Lecturer in Law. Prior to starting at 91直播, I worked at Lancaster University as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate on two Wellcome funded projects: 鈥樷 and 鈥樷. I have also previously held teaching appointments at the Universities of Manchester, Liverpool and Manchester Metropolitan.

I am interested in exploring ethico-legal, regulatory and policy questions regarding healthcare broadly defined. My expertise and research interests lie in the following three areas in particular: (i) emerging reproductive biotechnologies; (ii) organ donation and transplantation; and (iii) health and care inequalities with a particular focus on the gender health gap. My work has been published in leading national and international peer-reviewed journals and used by policymakers.

I obtained my LLB, LLM and PhD from the University of Manchester. While undertaking my doctoral research, I also completed a placement at the Cabinet Office where I worked as a Policy Advisor in the Open Innovation Team.

Qualifications

PhD, University of Manchester

LLM (Healthcare Ethics and Law), University of Manchester

LLB (English Law with French Law), University of Manchester

Research interests

Healthcare Law and Ethics:

  •  Reproduction and reproductive biotechnologies
  •  Pregnancy and maternity care
  •  Organ donation and transplantation (particularly systems of opt-out donation)
  •  Health and care inequalities (particularly gender and racial inequalities in the delivery of care and health outcomes)

Family Law:

  •  Parenthood and reproductive technologies
  •  Child welfare
Publications

Journal articles

  • O鈥橠onovan L (2022) . Journal of Law and the Biosciences, 9(2). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Williams NJ, O鈥橠onovan L & Wilkinson S (2022) . Medical Law Review, 30(2), 268-298. RIS download Bibtex download
  • O鈥橠onovan L, Williams NJ & Wilkinson S (2019) . British Medical Bulletin, 131(1), 19-28. RIS download Bibtex download
  • O鈥橠onovan L (2018) . Bioethics, 32(8), 489-498. RIS download Bibtex download

Chapters

  • O鈥橠onovan L (2024) In Hammond-Browning N & Williams NJ (Ed.), International Legal and Ethical Perspectives on Uterus Transplantation (pp. 143-160). Edward Elgar Publishing RIS download Bibtex download
Grants

Title: In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG): Developing a UK-Led International Evidence-Based Policy Network
Awarding Body: UKRI QR Policy Fund (FASS, Lancaster)
People Involved: Professor Stephen Wilkinson (PI), Dr Laura O'Donovan (Co-I) & Dr Nicola Williams (Co-I)
Dates: 2023-24
Amount: 拢50,000


Title: Shaping Evidence-Based Policymaking on Emerging Reproductive Technologies: A Collaboration Between Lancaster University and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Awarding Body: UKRI QR Policy Fund (FASS, Lancaster)
People Involved: Professor Stephen Wilkinson (PI), Dr Laura O'Donovan (Co-I) & Dr Nicola Williams (Co-I)
Dates: 2022-23
Amount: 拢14,727


Title: Uterus Transplantation: Law, Ethics, Patients and Policy
Awarding Body: ESRC IAA (FASS, Lancaster)
People Involved: Professor Stephen Wilkinson (PI), Professor Sara Fovargue (Co-I), Dr Laura O'Donovan (Co-I) & Dr Nicola Williams (Co-I)
Dates: 2021-22
Amount: 拢14,180

Teaching interests
  • Healthcare Law and Ethics
  • Tort Law
  • Family Law
Teaching activities

UG

  • Core Legal and Study Skills 1 (CLASS)
  • Current Issues in Health Law, Ethics and Policy
  • Family Law
  • Finance and Law for Engineers
  • Law of Obligations

PG

  • Understanding Law and Legal Systems
Professional activities and memberships
  • Member of the Socio-Legal Studies Association
  • Member of the Society of Legal Scholars