Inaugural Conference on Assisted Dying – Keynote Speaker

About the project

The researchers are an interdisciplinary research group undertaking a three-year project entitled: ‘Exploring the early experiences of the assisted dying service in Aotearoa’, which is primarily funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand.  The research aims to provide an interdisciplinary review of the introduction and implementation of AD, focusing on the extent to which it is safe, people-centred, mana-enhancing, accessible, and equitable to all eligible people. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the law, policy and practice in relation to Assisted Dying in Aotearoa. The culmination of this project is an inaugural Conference on Assisted Dying to be held at Victoria University Wellington in February 2026.  This grant from the Borrin Foundation enables the research team to fund Professor Ben White to give a keynote speech at the conference. Ben is a Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation in the School of Law, Queensland University of Technology, and is an internationally recognised expert in the law regarding assisted dying.

Grant amount

$3,040 to support funding the keynote speaker.

About the research team

The research team, led by Principal Investigator Dr Jessica Young (Victoria University of Wellington |Te Herenga Waka) encompasses academics from across Aotearoa representing law, indigenous studies, social science, bioethics, hospice and palliative care, psychiatry, psychology and nursing. It is a culturally diverse team with a range of perspectives on Assisted Dying. Further information about the project may be found at:  https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/assisted-dying/current-projects

Contact

Dr Jeanne Snelling, Senior Lecturer÷ Pūkenga Matua, Faculty of Law | Te Kaupeka Tātai Ture Jeanne.snelling@otago.ac.nz