Wendy Lipworth

I am a medically-trained bioethicist and health social scientist. My approach to research might be referred to as “practical bioethics” in that it is deliberately oriented towards finding pragmatic solutions to morally complex and controversial real-world problems. My work aims to assist decision-makers in all spheres of practice (clinicians, researchers, policymakers, industry and educators) to manage uncertainty and moral complexity and to act in the face of disagreement.

My work draws on a variety of methods—both empirical (qualitative and quantitative) and theoretical. It is also interdisciplinary and synthesises insights from ethics, law, sociology, policy, economics, epidemiology and other disciplines and involves engagement with all stakeholders to elicit the full range of perspectives and ensure legitimacy.

I teach applied ethics units of study in the Department of Philosophy.

I am currently co-supervising two postgraduate research students:

• Ms Miriam Wiersma: PhD on doctors' motivations to engage in clinical innovation
• Dr Sarah Heynemann: Phd on the ethics of ethics of novel oncology trial designs

Mentorship: I have formally mentored early career researchers through University mentoring schemes and students from other disciplines (medicine, law and public health) through ethics research projects. 

Research training: Since 2018 I have been a Senior Associate of Praxis Australia, a not-for-profit research training organisation.

• Co-Director, Macquarie University Ethics and Agency Research Centre (2023-present; Co-Director since 2024)
• President, Australasian Association of Bioethics & Health Law (President since 2024)
• Associate Editor, Journal of Bioethical Inquiry (2012-)
• Advisory Board Member, Bioethics Open Research (2022-)
• Steering Committee member, Australian Ethical Health Alliance (AEHA) representing Praxis Australia (2019-)
• Steering Committee member, Brain Cancer Australia (2014-)