Monash Medicine Honours graduate brings reproductive bioethics research to the national stage
Dr Jennifer Langford
Monash Medical School graduate Dr Jennifer Langford is contributing to national conversations on reproductive ethics following the publication of the research findings from her BMedSc(Honours) degree – the first of its kind to examine public attitudes towards consent processes for donating surplus frozen eggs to research.
Since its publication in February 2026, the research has attracted significant attention from both the academic community and the media, including a commentary piece in the UK’s BioNews and interviews on ABC Radio’s Sydney and Canberra afternoon programs.
Dr Langford’s findings come shortly after the release of the Victorian Department of Health’s Rapid Review of Assisted Reproductive Technology and In Vitro Fertilisation Regulation and Accreditation in Australia report last year, which called for improved transparency to support informed consumer choice and consent.
‘Jennifer's work brings much needed public insight into national conversations about consent and the donation of reproductive materials to research. Understanding what the public considers ethical is essential for designing consent frameworks that reflect community values and support people's preferences,’ said Dr Molly Johnston from the Monash Bioethics Centre, one of Dr Langford’s supervisors.
Dr Langford pursued this research while she was a medical student at Monash, by taking the optional Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) year [BMedSc(Hons)], which enables medical students to take a year away from their medical degree, to undertake a year of research. Jennifer undertook her BMedSc(Hons) degree in 2024, and was selected to participate in the Monash-Oxford BMedSc(Hons) Bioethics Program.
The Monash-Oxford BMedSc(Hons) program offers up to five high-achieving Monash medical students the opportunity to undertake advanced research in bioethics at the University of Oxford, with one supervisor from Monash University and one supervisor from Oxford University.
‘I chose to do my honours through the Oxford-Monash program because it gave me the opportunity to explore my interest in bioethical issues in reproductive medicine and technologies,’ said Dr Langford. Her BMedSc(Hons) project was under the supervision of Dr Johnston from Monash Bioethics Centre, and Dr Joanna Demaree-Cotton from the Uehiro Oxford Institute.
‘Through the program, I deepened my understanding of the ethical considerations that underpin clinical practice, while developing strong academic and communication skills that complement my clinical training.’
‘I feel very grateful because it has opened so many doors for my future and helped set me up for a career as both a clinician and researcher.’
Dr Langford graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) in 2025 and is now a junior doctor at The Royal Melbourne Hospital.
About Monash University
Monash University is Australia’s largest university with more than 80,000 students. In the 60 years since its foundation, it has developed a reputation for world-leading high-impact research, quality teaching, and inspiring innovation.
With four campuses in Australia and a presence in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Italy, it is one of the most internationalised Australian universities.
As a leading international medical research university with the largest medical faculty in Australia and integration with leading Australian teaching hospitals, we consistently rank in the top 50 universities worldwide for clinical, pre-clinical and health sciences.
For more news, visit Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences or Monash University.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES