People

This project is led by Alan Petersen, Monash University Professor of Sociology, who will draw on his expertise in the sociology of health and medicine, and his extensive knowledge of health technologies to oversee the project. Alan will take major responsibility for the data analysis, forging links with stakeholder groups, and developing the policy implications from this project. Alan will also conduct some of the interviews and will supervise and work closely with the Research Fellow on the project.

Diana Bowman is an Associate Professor in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and the School for the Future of Innovation and Society at Arizona State University. Diana brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the project: using her expertise as a trained lawyer and as a public health policy expert, and her knowledge of emerging technologies in the public health domain, she will provide expert input in relation to law and public health policy matters. Drawing on her strong links with Australian policymakers, she will contribute to developing the wider policy and regulatory implications of the project, and help to disseminate the findings.

Kiran Pienaar is a Research Fellow in the School of Social Sciences, Monash University. Her research experience spans a range of qualitative social science projects addressing topics in health sociology, social studies of drugs and the implementation of health interventions. In addition to her involvement on this project, Kiran is working on two other related research projects: she is an investigator on an ARC-funded project titled 'Chemical Practices: Enhancement and Experimentation', and on a Monash Interdisciplinary seed-funded project on experiences of online care. Kiran has expertise in the sociology of health and medicine, health policy, the social aspects of medical technologies, and science and technology studies. She will coordinate the day-to-day activities of the project, including taking major responsibility for collecting and analysing the policy, media and interview data. She will also assist with disseminating the findings and translating them into practical strategies for policy and healthcare provision.

Stephen Derrick is a Research Assistant in the School of Social Sciences, Monash University. Stephen recently submitted his PhD thesis for examination. His thesis is entitled ‘Time & Sustainability: Exploring the cases of refrigeration and artificial lighting’. Stephen has quantitative and statistical expertise and good knowledge of the workings of government and business. He is familiar with the Medicare Benefits Scheme and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme databases and will undertake quantitative analysis of trends in testing in healthcare as well as assist with the development and administration of the online survey.

Jane Brophy is a Research Fellow in the School of Social Sciences, Monash University. Jane has an MA in China Studies from the University of Melbourne and a PhD in Sociology from Monash. Both projects adopted medical sociology, and science and technology studies perspectives. Her PhD research explored the global phenomenon of ‘stem cell tourism’ in the Chinese context. She has since applied her qualitative research experience to two projects: the ARC-funded Monash Anti-Ageing Treatment Market Research Project, and the Wellcome Trust-funded project in the Monash Bioethics Centre on ‘Human Challenge Studies in Endemic Settings: Ethical and Regulatory Issues’. Jane brings her expertise in health-related research to her role assisting Kiran with interview data collection.