Dr. Rebekah Mcwhirter

Biography

Rebekah McWhirter is a senior lecturer in health medical law and the Director of Education at the College of Law, Australian National University. Her research employs both empirical and theoretical methods to address the legal and ethical aspects of health law, with a focus on regulations surrounding genomic research, particularly in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. She aims to identify legal frameworks that can support health initiatives and has developed a significant interest in the history of health law, particularly through her doctoral research on legislative responses to smallpox vaccination. McWhirter has over nine years of experience with human research ethics committees, serving as a deputy chair and co-chair of the Education, Ethics, and Social Issues Committee of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia. Additionally, she is a member of the executive for the Australasian Association for Bioethics and Health Law and has held the position of treasurer. Her extensive research funding achievements include competitive grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund, and the Australian Research Council, totaling over $15 million. Rebekah is also an admitted legal practitioner in the Australian Capital Territory and has been actively involved in various professional committees that focus on ethical governance in genomic research.

Research Interests