Dr Sandra Taylor PhD (The University of Tasmania, 1999) BSocStud (Sydney University, 1973)

Title 

Senior Lecturer School of Social Work and Applied Sciences

Institution University of Queensland

Discipline Social work; sociology
Expertise 

Social, legal and ethical issues associated with human genetic technologies; genetic discrimination; psychosocial genetics; genetic counselling; public health genetics

Research 2003 Australian Research Council (ARC) Special Research Network Initiatives Funding: Developing a multidisciplinary international research network focussed on maximizing the social and health benefits to Australia of human genetic technologies

2002 University of Queensland, Social & Behavioural Sciences Research Development Grant (UQRDG): Predictive genetic testing for adult-onset disorders: An investigation of coping and adaptation over time

2001 Cross-institutional seeding grant: The University of Queensland / Griffith
University / Queensland University of Technology: Ethical challenges in the new age of genetic knowledge: Technology, lived experience

2001 Large ARC Discovery Grant: Genetic discrimination in Australia: an exploration of the nature and extent of the phenomenon within the legal and social context

2001 University of Qld Early Career Research Grant: Living with genetic knowledge: A pilot qualitative study of psychosocial wellbeing over time

2001 University of Qld Firstlink Fund: An exploration of the needs of individuals and families at critical stages of engagement with genetic technology

2000 University of Queensland UQ New Staff Start-Up Grant: Living with genetic knowledge about Huntington’s Disease: a pilot study

1999 ARC (Small Grant), University of Tasmania: Predictive Genetic Testing for Huntington’s disease and Psychosocial Wellbeing: A Follow Up Study

1999 University of Tasmania: Pilot study: perceptions and experiences of supervision of post-graduate female students at the University of Tasmania

1997 Tasmanian Population Health Program: Primary Health Care Scholarship: Completion of research study into Huntington's Disease within Tasmania

1996 Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust Fund, Tasmania: Completion of doctoral research regarding decision-making of at-risk adults for predictive testing for Huntington's Disease

Relevant Publications 

Taylor, SD, Otlowski, MF, Barlow-Stewart, KK, Treloar, SA, Stranger, M & Chenoweth, K. (2004, in press) “Investigating genetic discrimination in Australia: opportunities and challenges in the early stages”. New Genetics and Society

Taylor, S. (2004) “Predictive genetic test decisions for Huntington’s Disease:
context, appraisal and new moral imperatives”. Social Science & Medicine 58 (1): 137-149.

Taylor, S. (2003) “Predictive testing for an individual at 25% risk for Huntington’s Disease: current conundrums, future challenges” Journal of Futures Studies 7(4): 27-36.

Otlowski, M.F., Taylor, S.D. & Barlow-Stewart, K.K. (2003) “Genetic Discrimination: Too few data” European Journal of Human Genetics 11(1): 1-2.

Otlowski, M.F., Taylor, S.D. & Barlow-Stewart, K.K. (2002). “Major Study Commencing into Genetic Discrimination in Australia” Journal of Law and Medicine 10(1): 41-48.

Craft, C. Murray, D., Rowley, D. & Taylor, S. (2002) ‘Breaking into the Game: A
Mentoring Program in Research, Writing and Publication For Social Work
Academics’. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education 4 (1): 15-22.

Taylor, S.D. (2001). ‘The new quest for genetic knowledge: the need for critique and compromise in predictive technology’. In J.Daly & M. Guillerin (Eds) Health technologies: Critical compromises. Oxford University Press, Sydney.

Taylor, S.D. (1998) "A Case Study of Genetic Discrimination: Social Work Advocacy within a New Context" Australian Social Work 51 (4):51- 57

Richards, F. and Taylor, S.D. (1997) "Social Work and Genetic Testing: Ethical Issues Encountered in Predictive Testing for Huntington's Disease" Australian Social Work 50 (4) : 61-67.

Taylor, S. D. (1994). “Demand for predictive genetic testing for Huntington's Disease in Australia, 1987 to March 1993” Medical Journal of Australia 161: 351 – 355

Memberships Positions Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Member of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA)

Member of the Ethics and Social Issues (ESIC) Committee, The Human Genetics Society of Australasia

Member of the Australian Genetic Counsellors Association (AGSA)

Member of the Australian Institute for Health, Law and Ethics (AIHLE)

Member of The Australian Sociological Association (TASA)

Member of the Australian Huntington's Disease Association (Queensland)

November 2002 – present: Member of the Board of Management, Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) (Qld)

July 2001 – present: Executive Secretary, Ethics and Social Issues Committee (ESIC), The Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA)

March 2001 – present: Member, National Ethics and Social Issues Committee (ESIC), The Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA)

February 2001- present: Member, Professional Research Committee, Australian Huntington’s Disease Association (Qld)