Dr Laura O'Donovan

I joined the School of Law in September 2024 as a Lecturer in Law. Prior to starting at Sheffield, I worked at Lancaster University as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate on two Wellcome funded projects: ‘The Transfer and Donation of Human Reproductive Materials’ and ‘The Future of Human Reproduction’. 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.