Dr Laura O’Donovan is an academic lawyer who researches issues in healthcare law and bioethics. She is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Sheffield and was previously a Research Associate on the Wellcome-funded project, The Future of Human Reproduction. She has a particular interest in the following areas: (i) reproduction and the body (novel assisted reproductive technologies, pregnancy, and regulation of the family); (ii) organ donation (systems of opt-out donation and organ and tissue exclusions); and (iii) health inequalities with a particular focus on the gender health gap.

Laura’s PhD explored the legal and ethical challenges posed by uterus transplantation focusing on questions of risk in experimental medical procedures, reproductive autonomy, child welfare, and access to treatment. While undertaking her doctoral research, she also completed a placement at the Cabinet Office (CO) where she worked as a Policy Advisor in the Open Innovation Team. During this time, she worked on projects for BEIS (as it then was), MoJ and CO seeking to draw on academic research and expertise to generate analysis and ideas for policy. 

In addition to her published academic research, Laura also has experience collaborating with external stakeholders to produce outputs. She is currently working with clinicians to develop public materials on the ethics of uterus transplantation and, with other members of The Future of Human Reproduction team, is collaborating on a policy briefing document with the Nuffield Council on Bioethics which explores the ethical and policy questions raised by in vitro gametogenesis (IVG). She has also submitted evidence to a number of consultations held by the UK, Scottish and Northern Irish governments on opt-out organ donation.