Adam Hedgecoe

Professor Adam Hedgecoe is a sociologist of science affiliated with the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University. His work focuses on biomedical science, particularly genetics, and its societal and regulatory implications. He examines how genetic testing impacts professional practices and how research ethics committees operate. His research bridges philosophy, bioethics, and the history of science.

Key areas of interest include the ethical governance of biomedical research, the sociocultural dimensions of genetic technologies, and the historical development of research ethics frameworks. He critiques assumptions of isomorphism in ethics review processes and explores trust dynamics within regulatory organizations. His interdisciplinary approach addresses tensions between academic freedom and institutional accountability.

Professor Hedgecoe is available for postgraduate supervision and actively engages with media commentary. His publications span over two decades, addressing topics like pharmacogenetics, research ethics scandals, and the impact of geneticization on disease classification. Notable works include analyses of research ethics committees' role in shaping biomedical practices and critiques of REF impact case study criteria.

His research also intersects with public understanding of genetics, such as studies on APOE genotyping and Alzheimer's disease. He emphasizes the need for sociological perspectives in evaluating emerging biomedical technologies, advocating for critical bioethics that transcends applied ethics frameworks.