About CHLS
The Centre for Health, Law and Society investigates institutional, material and technological aspects of the relationships between health, law and society. This includes understanding how law impacts upon ethical, social, political and economic issues at individual and population levels. The Centre’s research programs and impact activities are informed by a socio-legal perspective, or ‘law-in-context’ approach, to examining the different ways in which law intersects with health. Our members take a broad view of what is meant by law, which may include case law, legislation, the courts, guidance, manuals, procedures, record-keeping and regulation.
The Centre’s research programs are focused on three main themes: end of life; gender, sexuality and reproduction; and health governance and rights. Members of the Centre engage in research which critically examines how law influences the dynamics of patient-doctor relations and the provision of healthcare, definitions of health and ill-health, scientific and technological innovation in healthcare, constructions of healthcare norms, and the regulation of human bodies, gender identity and sexuality.
Our Governance Structure
Director | |
Executive Director | |
Manager | |
Advisory Committee | Professor David Ranson (LLS, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine) Louise Johnson (Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority) |
Affiliate Membership (External)
University of Technology Sydney | |
Swinburne University of Technology | |
Group Manager Ethics & Formation, St Vincent’s Health Australia | |
RMIT University | |
Barrister Adjunct Professor, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University | |
Deakin University | |
RMIT University | |
Deputy Director & Head of Forensic Services, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine | |
Sydney University | |
Director of Centre for Death & Society, University of Bath, UK | |
Clinical Director of Supportive & Palliative Care, Eastern Health Adjunct Associate Professor, Public Health Palliative Care Unit, La Trobe University |