Law, Health and Society (LHS) examines the regulation of healthcare, the impact of health and human rights and how health law intersects with other areas such as medicine and technology. Our robust, collaborative research examines the ethical, social and legal implications of health law, regulation and policy, to advance better health and wellbeing outcomes.
Our research investigates advancements in health technologies and the ethical, social and legal implications of law, regulation and policy throughout the life course.
Our research critically examines the regulation of healthcare and related technologies.
We examine the human rights impact of laws, policies and practices, including those that relate specifically to healthcare and those that influence physical and mental health outcomes.
We evaluate and critique areas of health law that intersect with other disciplines, including medicine and social sciences, as well as other areas of law such as criminal law, tort law and constitutional law.
Study a PhD at Deakin Law School and contribute to research that informs law reform and public debate.
It is important to apply a socio-legal perspective to critically examine how we create and sustain life and seek to improve both living and dying experiences for members of society.
Associate Professor Neera Bhatia
Director of Law, health and society
Our collaborative and diverse members conduct scholarly research and engage with the broader community, government, law reform bodies and other stakeholders at the intersection of law, health, and ethics to drive positive change in communities.
People travelling internationally to seek medical care for children is a growing phenomenon. We're working with researchers from Bristol University (UK) to build an international research network to better understand the global scale and extent of children's medical tourism, uncovering questions from different national jurisdictions.
Public intoxication was decriminalised in Victoria in 2023 after extensive engagement with Victoria’s Aboriginal community, which was disproportionately impacted by the law. Funded by Victoria’s Department of Justice and Community Safety, this project evaluates the transition from a criminal justice response to a public health response and investigates its effectiveness.
Law, Health and Society brings together expertise from researchers in health law to explore issues through a multi-jurisdictional lens and consider ethical and social contexts.
Associate Professor Neera Bhatia is the Director of Law, Health and Society, providing strategic direction. Her primary research interest focuses on end-of-life decision-making for critically ill infants and children, organ donation, voluntary assisted dying, definition and determination of death, and emerging health and reproductive technologies.
Associate Professor Tania Penovic is the Deputy Director of Law, Health and Society. Her primary research interest examines issues including barriers to healthcare access, the mental health impact of immigration law and the intersection of public health and criminal law, including the criminalisation of vulnerable groups.
Please get in touch if you would like to know more about our work or discuss collaboration or research opportunities.
