Morven Shearer

Biography

Graduating from the University of Glasgow with a BSc (Hons I) degree in Pharmacology, I was awarded a MSc in Pharmacology by the University of Iowa for my work on cellular signalling mechanisms in breast and brain cancer, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge for my investigations into nerve regeneration following spinal cord injury. I moved to the University of St Andrews in 2001. During this time, I became interested in biomedical ethics, an interest which I developed further during my time at the Ethox Centre, University of Oxford and at the University of London. I joined the School of Medicine in February 2011. I am interested in the ethical issues raised by developments in medicine and healthcare, which can cover a wide range of areas. For example, following on from my work on paediatric anti-depressant use, I was involved in research on the optimisation of care of children with cerebral palsy, and the evaulation of their transition into adult services. In summer 2011 I worked at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) international questionnaire, which is a part of a multi-partner project exploring the effects of child maltreatment on long term chronic health and health risk behaviours. More recently, I've been working with colleagues in global health to look at ethics and regulation of research. This summer (2017) I'm working with a Laidlaw scholar and a colleague in palliative care, to look at decision-making in end-of-life care. My interest in research ethics & governance, ties in with my role as Convenor of the School Ethics Committee, and my position on UTREC & AWEC. I also enjoy being involved in the SoTL, particularly in relation to ethics teaching and reflection. In AY2017/18 I was involved in starting a Faculty Learning Community (FLC) with colleagues from across Science & Medicine to foster cross-disciplinary discussion around pedagogy.

Research Interest

I am interested in the ethical issues raised by developments in medicine and healthcare, which can cover a wide range of areas.