Doctoral Researcher, O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law; Adjunct Professor of Law
Alexandra L. Phelan
International Law, Australian National University; B.Biomed.Sc.LL.B., Monash University; Dip. Lang. Mandarin Chinese, Monash University
Alexandra Phelan is an Adjunct Professor in Global and Public Health Law and Ethics, Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) candidate and General Sir John Monash Scholar at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Professor Phelan’s doctoral research examines the global governance of infectious diseases, with a focus on Australian, Chinese and US laws relating to the health and human rights of vulnerable population groups. Professor Phelan’s research explores the key legal issues of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases –such as Ebola, Pandemic Influenza, MERS, and Zika Virus –in the face of pressing global health issues such as climate change, pandemics and refugee mobility.
Professor Phelan completed her Master of Laws at the Australian National University (Canberra, Australia) specializing in international health, human rights and security law. Professor Phelan completed her Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) double degree at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia), specializing in international law and health human rights in her legal studies, and infectious diseases in her biomedical science studies. As a passionate linguist, she holds a Diploma of Languages in Mandarin Chinese from Monash University.
Before commencing her doctoral studies, Professor Phelan was a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons, where she worked in Mergers and Acquisitions within the climate change law and China groups, and was an active member of the human rights and pro bono law groups. In 2012, Professor Phelan lived and worked in Geneva, Switzerland at the World Health Organization in the Gender, Equity and Human Rights team, and as legal consultant at the GAVI Alliance (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations). Professor Phelan has previously held an Honorary Associateship at the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University, and guest lectures at the University of Melbourne Law School, University of Sydney Law School, and the Georgetown University Law Center and School of Medicine.
