
Dr Bernadette Richards
Associate Professor
Adelaide Law School
Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Teaches Medical Law and Ethics, Bioethics and Tort Law.
Active researcher in medical law and bioethics and has completed major projects on organ donation, consent to treatment and legal issues around innovative surgery. Chief Investigator, NHMRC Partnership Grant, "Strategies for the inclusion of vulnerable populations in developing complex and sensitive public policy: A case study in Advance Care Planning."
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
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- Teaching
- Supervision
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I have worked at the University of Adelaide for a number of years and my research focus is in the area of medical law and ethics and my work sits at the nexus of ethics and the law in the context of medical treatment, with a particular emphasis on consent to medical treatment. I am currently exploring issues around Advance Care Planning, access to innovative treatment , the role of AI in diagnosis and role of medical device representatives in surgery.
My Ph.D challenged the existing legal framework around 'consent' to medical treatment (commonly referred to as informed consent). The thesis is entitled: Informed Choice not Informed Consent: Towards a meaningful consideration of pre-treatment advice).
I am currently an Adjunct Assoc Professor of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research, QUT Law School, I am also a member of the NHMRC Embryo Research Licencing Committee, the Australian Health Ethics Committee and in 2019, Chaired the Expert Reference Group for the review of Mitchondrial Donation (an NHMRC appointed committee) .
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 1999 - ongoing Associate Professor The University of Adelaide -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title The University of Adelaide Australia Ph.D James Cook University Australia LLB (Hons) University of New England Australia B.A. University of New England Australia Dip. Ed -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2022 Richards, B., Jacobson, S. S., Lotz, M., & Rogers, W. (2022). The Regulation of Medical Device Representatives: A Question of Trust?. Law, Technology and Humans, 4(1), 117-128.
2022 Baquero, A., Beyda, D. H., Singh, M. F., Gilcrease, G., Gutierrez, J. E., Lavee, J., . . . Trey, T. (2022). Comment on "Lung Transplantation for Elderly Patients With End-stage COVID-19 Pneumonia". Annals of Surgery, 276(1), E65-E66.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12022 Richards, B., & Scheibner, J. (2022). Health Technology and Big Data: Social Licence, Trust and the Law. Journal of law and medicine, 29(2), 388-399. 2022 Blakely, B., Rogers, W., Johnson, J., Grundy, Q., Hutchison, K., Clay-Williams, R., . . . Maddern, G. (2022). Ethical and regulatory implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the medical devices industry and its representatives. BMC Medical Ethics, 23(1), 31-1-31-7.
Scopus1 WoS12021 Miola, J., & Richards, B. (2021). Would we be right to try "Right to try?". Health Matrix (Cleveland, Ohio : 1991), 31, 107-132. 2021 Richards, B., Sage Jacobson, S., & Aquino, Y. S. J. (2021). Regulation of AI in health care: a cautionary tale considering horses and zebras. Journal of Law and Medicine, 28(3), 645-654. 2020 Thomas, J. S., Boylan, A., & Richards, B. (2020). Challenging mutual mistrust: medico-legal interprofessional learning. Medical Teacher, 54(5), 476-477.
2020 Ingman, W. V., Richards, B., Street, J. M., Carter, D., Rickard, M., Stone, J., & Dasari, P. (2020). Breast density notification: an Australian perspective. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(3), 681-1-681-8.
Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC12020 Richards, B. (2020). Health Care, Technology and Innovation: What's Law got to do with it?. Journal of Law and Medicine, 27(3), 561-569. 2020 Richards, B. (2020). Balancing Interests in Healthcare: What Happens When Commercial Interests Outweigh Patient Welfare and a Brief Overview of the Swinging Pendulum of Informed Consent in Singapore. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 17(1), 15-20.
Scopus2 WoS22020 Nicol, D., & Richards, B. (2020). Mitochondrial Donation: The Australian Story.. J Bioeth Inq, 17(2), 161-164.
Scopus12020 Sharif, A., Lavee, J., Baquero, A., Fiatarone Singh, M., Matas, D., Richards, B., . . . Rogers, W. (2020). Reply to Chen et al.. Transplant International, 33(7), 819-820.
2020 Grieger, J., Giancaspro, M., & Richards, B. (2020). Consumer Law, Technology and Health Care: A Shift in Focus, a Panacea or a Confounder?. Journal of Law and Medicine, 28(1), 54-67.
Scopus22020 Carter, S. M., Rogers, W., Win, K. T., Frazer, H., Richards, B., & Houssami, N. (2020). The ethical, legal and social implications of using artificial intelligence systems in breast cancer care. Breast, 49, 25-32.
Scopus59 WoS47 Europe PMC202019 Thompson, M., & Plater, D. (2019). An Issue that is not Going Away: Recent Developments in Surrogacy in South Australia. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 16(4), 477-481.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12019 Richards, B. J. (2019). Clarifying legal tests: Who a parent is and how to warn of unknown risks. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 16(3), 301-304.
2019 Richards, B. J., & Wisdom, T. (2019). Re Carla: An error in judgment. QUT Law Review, 18(2), 77-92.
2019 Richards, B. J. (2019). Considering the boundaries of decision-making authority: An NHS Trust v Y [2018] UKSC 46. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 16(2), 5 pages.
Scopus12019 Duszynski, K. M., Pratt, N. L., Lynch, J. W., Braunack-Mayer, A., Taylor, L. K., Berry, J. G., . . . Gold, M. S. (2019). Process trumps potential public good: better vaccine safety through linked cross-jurisdictional immunisation data in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 43(5), 496-503.
Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC22018 Cahill-O'Callaghan, R., & Richards, B. (2018). Policy, principle, or values: An exploration of judicial decision-making. Louisiana Law Review, 79(2), 397-418.
Scopus12018 Richards, B. (2018). Ethical Judgments: Re-writing Medical Law, edited by Stephen W. Smith, John Coggon, Clark Hobson, Richard Huxtable, Sheelagh McGuinness, José Miola, and Mary Neal. European Journal of Health Law, 25(3), 361-363.
2018 Richards, B., & Coggon, J. (2018). Assisted Dying in Australia and Limiting Court Involvement in Withdrawal of Nutrition and Hydration. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 15(1), 15-18.
Scopus2 WoS3 Europe PMC12018 Richards, B. (2018). Regulating Consent to Organ and Embryo Donation. 2018 Richards, B. (2018). Book Review: Stephen W. Smith, John Coggon, Clark Hobson, Richard Huxtable, Sheelagh McGuinness, José Miola, and Mary Neal (eds.) Ethical Judgments: Re-writing Medical Law (Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2017) ISBN 978-1-84946-579-3, 290 pp.. 2018 Richards, B., de Zwart, M., Reilly, A., Le Mire, S., & Webster, A. (2018). Enhancing the First Year Curriculum and Experience: Law School 'Boot Camp'. Legal Education Review, 28.
2018 Richards, B., Grundy, Q., Hutchinson, K., Johnson, J., Clay-Williams, R., & Rogers, W. (2018). Device representatives in hospitals: are commercial imperatives driving clinical decision-making?. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(9), 1-4.
Scopus11 WoS10 Europe PMC52018 Richards, B. J. (2018). Social Media: The Unnamed Plaintiff. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 15(3), 309-312.
Scopus2 WoS3 Europe PMC12018 Castles, M., & Richards, B. (2018). Medico Legal Mediation: Developing an Interdisciplinary Roleplay. Australian Journal of Clinical Education, 4(1), 16 pages. 2017 Furrow, B. R., & Richards, B. J. (2017). Regulating the New: A Consideration of CRISPR and Approaches to Professional Standards of Practitioners of Chinese Medicine in Australia and Accessing the NDIS. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 14(2), 167-172.
Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC12017 Toews, M., Giancaspro, M., Richards, B., & Ferrari, P. (2017). Kidney paired donation and the "valuable consideration" problem: The experiences of Australia, Canada, and the United States. Transplantation, 101(9), 1996-2002.
Scopus4 WoS1 Europe PMC12017 Richards, B. (2017). Stretching the Boundaries of Parental Responsibility: Re Carla (Medical procedure) [2016] FamCA 7. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 14(3), 323-324.
Scopus1 WoS2 Europe PMC12017 Richards, B., Lysaght, T., & Muralidharan, A. (2017). Exploring the boundaries of autonomy and the ‘right’ to access innovative stem cell therapies. Asian Bioethics Review, 9(1), 45-60.
Scopus22017 Richards, B. J., & Okninski, M. (2017). Considering Professional Misconduct and Best Interests of a Child (Palliative Orders). Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 14(1), 19-22.
Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC22017 Richards, B., & Okninski, M. (2017). The best interests of a child: A tragedy in three parts. Medical Law Review, 25(1), 138-149.
Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC12016 Richards, B., & Hutchinson, K. (2016). Consent to innovative treatment: no need for a new legal test. Journal of Law and Medicine, 23(4), 938-948.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12016 Richards, B., & Okninski, M. (2016). Regulating "quack" medicine and decision-making for children re-visited. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 13(4), 467-471.
Scopus2 WoS3 Europe PMC22016 Richards, B. (2016). Medical innovation laws: an unnecessary innovation. Australian Health Review, 40(3), 282.
Scopus1 WoS32015 Pope, T. M., & Richards, B. J. (2015). Decision-Making: At the End of Life and the Provision of Pretreatment Advice. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 12(3), 389-394.
Scopus6 WoS4 Europe PMC22015 Richards, B. J., Porter, G., Lipworth, W., & Lysaght, T. (2015). The Medical Innovation Bill: Still more harm than good. Clinical Ethics, 10(1-2), 1-4.
Scopus32015 Richards, B., Madden, B., & Cockburn, T. (2015). Untangling the Surrogacy Web and Exploring Legal Duties Following the Discharge of Mental Health Patients. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 12(1), 25-29.
2015 Richards, B. J., & Williamson, L. (2015). Supporting innovation in the UK: Care Act 2014: developments in social care legislation in England and the Medical Innovation Bill. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 12(2), 183-187.
Scopus2 WoS12014 Richards, B. (2014). Property in tissue (again) and negligent conception. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 11(4), 437-440.
2014 Lemmens, T., & Richards, B. (2014). Investigating research and accessing reproductive material. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 11(1), 11-19.
Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC12014 de Zwart, M., & Richards, B. (2014). WI-FI in the ivory tower: reducing isolation of the law PhD student through social media networks. QUT Law Review, 14(1), 81-93.
2013 Pope, T., & Richards, B. (2013). Who makes the decisions, especially when it concerns minors?. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 10(4), 441-444.
Scopus1 WoS12013 Richards, B., & Coggon, J. (2013). Informing patients and making decisions. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 10(2), 139-143.
2013 Richards, B., & Stewart, C. (2013). Professional conduct and making decisions for minors. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 10(1), 11-15.
Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC12012 Naffine, N., Richards, B., De lacey, S., Braunack-Mayer, A., & Rogers, W. (2012). Who controls the uses of organs after death?: law in the books, law in practice and the view of the people. Journal of Law and Medicine, 20(2), 295-305. 2012 Richards, B. (2012). What lies beneath: a brief introduction to the issues underlying the development of the law in context of medical treatment. Interface, 15(1 and 2), 27-40. 2012 Richards, B., Hayes, T., & Tsui, M. (2012). Making decisions. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 9(4), 385-393.
WoS12012 De Lacey, S., Rogers, W., Braunack-Mayer, A., Avery, J., Smith, D., & Richards, B. (2012). Perceptions of embryo status and embryo use in an Australian community. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 24(7), 727-744.
Scopus10 WoS10 Europe PMC42012 Coggon, J., Madden, B., Cockburn, T., Stewart, C., Singh, J., Bhan, A., . . . Richards, B. (2012). Organ donation, discrimination after death, anti-vaccination sentiments, and Tuberculosis management. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 9(2), 125-133.
2012 Stewart, C., Richards, B., Huxtable, R., Madden, B., & Cockburn, T. (2012). Sale of sperm, health records, minimally conscious states, and duties of candour. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 9(1), 7-14.
WoS12012 Naffine, N., & Richards, B. (2012). Regulating consent to organ and embryo donation: the legal dimensions of the problem. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 9(1), 49-55.
Scopus2 WoS4 Europe PMC32011 Richards, B., Madden, B., & Cockburn, T. (2011). Considering the "Born-Alive" Rule and possession of sperm following death. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 8(4), 323-327.
Scopus22011 Richards, B., Madden, B., & Cockburn, T. (2011). Recent Developments. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 8(2), 113-119.
2010 Stewart, C., & Richards, B. (2010). Recent Developments. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 7(4), 341-343.
2010 Richards, B. (2010). Life as loss?. Interface, 13(1 and 2), 53-69. 2010 De Lacey, S., Rogers, W., & Richards, B. (2010). Directed embryo donation: Free choice or discrimination?. Journal of Law and Medicine, 18(1), 169-177.
Scopus7 Europe PMC32009 Richards, B. (2009). Is directed gamete donation discriminatory?. Australasian Science, 30(7), 37. 2009 Naffine, N., Richards, B., & Rogers, W. (2009). Scaring us all to death: the need for responsible legal scholarship on post-mortem organ donation.. Journal of Law and Medicine, 16(4), 696-707.
Scopus5 Europe PMC22008 Rogers, W., & Richards, B. (2008). Organ donation after cardiac death: Legal and ethical justifications for antemortem interventions - Reply. Medical Journal of Australia, 188(3), 188.
2007 Richards, B., & Rogers, W. (2007). Organ donation after cardiac death: legal and ethical justifications for antemortem interventions. Medical Journal of Australia, 187(3), 168-170.
Scopus29 WoS27 Europe PMC132007 Richards, B. (2007). Patient-centred ethics and communication at the end of life. Health Expectations, 10(2), 206-207.
2007 Richards, B. (2007). Book Review: Patient-Centred Ethics and Communication at the End of Life. 2006 Bibliography. Current world literature. Prostate cancer. (2006). Current opinion in urology, 16(3), 196-209. 2003 Richards, B. (2003). Case Note: PD v Dr Nicholas Harvey: A Threat to Confidentiality of Straightforward Breach of Duty?. 2003 Richards, B. (2003). PD v Dr Nicholas Harvey: a threat to confidentiality or straightforward breach of duty?. University of Western Sydney Law Review, 7, 161-168. -
Books
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Book Chapters
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Conference Papers
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Report for External Bodies
Year Citation 2020 Villios, S., Plater, D., Golding, G., Pandos, O., Richards, B., Brunacci, A., . . . Nicholls, H. (2020). Valuable Instrument or Single Most Abused Legal Document in our Judicial System? A Review of the Role and Operation of Enduring Powers of Attorney in South Australia (15). Adelaide: South Australian Law Reform Institute. 2020 Villios, S., Plater, D., Williams, J., Golding, G., Richards, B., Brunacci, A., & Pandos, O. (2020). Review of the Role and Operation of Powers of Attorney in South Australia: Discussion Paper. Adelaide. -
Theses
Year Citation 2018 Zito, P. C. (2018). Geographical Indications: What is Their Worth? A Comparison of Geographical Indication Registrations Between Australia and Italy. (PhD Thesis, The University of Adelaide).
Chief Investigator, NHMRC Ideas Grant, 'The algorithm will see you now: ethical, legal and social implications of adopting machine learning systems for diagnosis and screening' APP1181960, 2020 -
Chief Investigator, Australian Research Council Discovery Grant, 'Support or Sales? Medical Device Representatives in Australian Hospitals' DP200100883, 2020 -
Chief Investigator, NHMRC Partnership Grant: Investigating the inclusion of vulnerable populations in Advance Care Planning: Developing complex and sensitive public policy, APP1133407 Partnership Project. 2017 -
Chief Investigator, Australian Research Council Linkage Grant, "On the cutting edge: promoting best practice in surgical innovation" (INCISIVE: Interdisciplinary Collaboration Investigating surgical Innovation and Ethics), 2014 -
Chief Investigator, Australian Research Discovery Grant, “Consent in the void: moral, legal and community values in decisions before birth and after death.” 2006-2009.
Adviser, ARC Linkage Grant: Can and should we link data at a national level? Vaccine safetysurveillance: A case study Approved: Primary RFCD 3212 PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES
I teach Tort Law and Medical Law and Ethics in the Law School. I also introduce the law to medical students.
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Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2017 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Meaningful protection or unacceptable risk? A critical analysis of undue influence as a safeguard in proposed voluntary assisted dying legislation in South Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Michaela Estelle Okninski 2015 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Increasing the Participation of Persons with Mental Illness in Mental Health Treatment Decision-Making Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Susan Elizabeth Peukert 2013 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Geographical Indications: What is their Worth? A Comparison of Geographical Indication Registrations between Australia and Italy Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Paula Caroline Zito
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2018 - ongoing Member Australian Health Ethics Committee NHMRC Australia 2016 - ongoing Chair Southern Adelaide Clinical Human Research Ethics Committee - - -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2013 - ongoing Associate Editor Journal of Bioethical Inquiry - -
Connect With Me
External Profiles