Showing articles associated with Michael Parker
Professor Michael Parker is Director of Oxford’s Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities and Director of Oxford’s Ethox Centre in the Nuffield Department of Population Health. Michael is currently a member of the independent ethics advisory board for the NHS mobile contact tracing app, and advisor on the WHO International Working Group on Ethics and COVID19. Michael conducts research on the ethical challenges that are posed by advances in neuroscience, data science, genomics and global connectedness, and by their convergence. The Centres research aim to improve health and health care, and promote and sustain public trust and confidence in clinical, research, global health and population ethics.
What is your main area(s) of interest/expertise?
Michael’s research interests include the ethics of collaborative global health research, the uses of data-science in population health, and the clinical uses of genomics.
What are you working on right now?
I am part of the mobile contact tracing app team based at Oxford’s Big Data Institute. We have proposed a number of ethical requirements for the appropriate use of the app including the importance of independent oversight, privacy protections, high standards of data security, and consent. Our work highlights the importance of the app’s potential to save lives, reduce suffering, avoid another surge in cases, and help prepare for future pandemics.
Why is Oxford a good place to work in this field of research?
Oxford’ multi-disciplinary programmes provide a number of opportunities for ethics to be placed at the heart of scientific research. Our overseas programmes across Asia and Africa ensure that we are developing and adapting bioethical approaches for diverse settings, and contributing towards public health policy and practice in low and middle income countries.
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