Professor Amel Alghrani LLB, MA, PhD, Barrister (non-practising)

Personal Statement

Amel specialises in health law with a notabe focus on the regulation of of reproductive technologies and fertility treatment. She has published high-impact, internationally excellent and world-leading publications, that have been cited by the Supreme Court and featured in major media outlets (e.g. The Independent, The Times, The Mail on Sunday, iNews, The Liverpool Echo, Science Media Centre, The Metro, and Forbes USA).

Beginning her career by studying law as an undergraduate from 1999 to 2002, Amel was called to the Bar in 2003 and subsequently worked at the General Medical Council. Passionate about the interplay between philosophy, medicine, law and ethics, Amel completed a PhD at the University of Manchester in 2008. Post PhD, she held two post doctorate positions: a Research Associate post at the Centre for Social Ethics and Policy, led by Professors Margaret Brazier and Soren Holm (University of Manchester, 2008-11); and then a Research Fellowship at the Institute of Science Ethics and Innovation, led by Nobel Laureate Sir John Sulston and Professor John Harris (2011-2012). Amel was appointed as a Family Law Lecturer at the University of Manchester (2012-13) before moving to the University of Liverpool, where she progressed to the positions of Senior Lecturer (2013), Reader (2018), and Professor of Law (2020).

Within the realm of health law, Amel's research interests encompass the regulation of reproduction and assisted reproduction, including areas such as abortion, sterilisation, policing pregnancy, and the regulation of fertility treatment and novel assisted reproductive technologies. Additionally, she explores the intersection of criminal and medical law, focusing on the increasing use of criminal law to regulate healthcare ethics and practice.

Amel has recently expanded her research focus to encompass education law and the education and healthcare rights of children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). In 2021-22, Amel, alongside Dr Emma Ashworth (LJMU), Prof. Lucy Bray ( Edge Hill) and Joanna Kirkby (LJMU) completed a NIHR funded project on the impact of the pandemic on children with SEND. This project was shortlisted and won both the Track Impact’s global people’s choice award for ‘most engaging impact project’ (2022) and The North West Coast Innovation award for ‘Tackling Health Inequalities’ (June 2023) and was commended by The University of Liverpool Staff Awards (2023) for 'Research Impact of the Year'. Amel's aim with her research in this domain is that it has real world impact and influences law, policy and national debate around how children and young people with SEND (and their parents/carers/families) are supported and that it has a positive impact on their lives. Her research findings have directly informed policy decisions, as evidenced by their inclusion in government publications, such as the Government Education Committee (2020), HL Select Committee (2023), and Government SEND Green Paper (2023).

Beyond her research, Amel is a dedicated teacher, reflected in teaching awards and nominations (Guild Awards, Lecturer of the Year 2022 (nomination), Faculty Teaching and Learning Award 2018 (winner), Guild Award, Lecturer of the Year 2015 (winner).

In terms of leadership, she is one of the founding directors of The Health Law and Regulation Unit, was Associate Dean (Education) in the School of Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) and a member of the schools Senior Management Team (2017-2019). Amel actively promotes diversity and inclusion, having served as the Education Diversity and Inclusion lead for the Department of Law (2021-23).

Amel's disciplinary involvement extends to serving on Fitness to Practise Committees at both Manchester and Liverpool, as well as on the University Disciplinary Committee at Liverpool (2017-2022). She was also a co-editor the Medical Law International journal until January 2024, showcasing her commitment to scholarly contributions in her field.

Amel is a sought-after speaker, regularly presenting her research nationally and internationally, and is always willing to share her expertise on relevant matters.

Prizes or Honours

• People's Choice ' Most Engaging Project' (Vertigo Ventures, 2023)
• Research Impact of the Year (Commended) (The University of Liverpool Staff Awards, 2023)
• Tracking Health Inequalities Award (North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards 2023, 2023)
• Lecturer of the Year (nomination) (Guild Awards, 2022)
• Faculty Learning and Teaching Award. (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Liverpool, 2018)
• Woman of the Year Finalist and Personal Recommendation Award in 'Contribution to Medicine' Category (The English Women's Awards , 2018)
• Teacher of the Year (Liverpool Guild of Students , 2015)
• Scholarship (The Honorable Inner Temple Inns of Court , 2002)