Deirdre Madden

Professor Deirdre Madden is a leading academic and legal expert in medical law and bioethics at University College Cork. She holds a PhD in Assisted Reproduction Law and has authored seminal works on medical ethics, including Medicine, Ethics and the Law and Medical Law in Ireland. Her research focuses on assisted reproduction, patient safety, end-of-life care, and healthcare regulation.

• Member of over 30 national committees including the Commission on Patient Safety and HIQA's Health Technology Assessment reviews
• Chair of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance (2008 Report)
• Deputy Chair of the Health Service Executive Board (2019–2024)

Her work bridges law and medicine, addressing complex issues like surrogacy rights, consent frameworks, and organ retention controversies. She has provided expert testimony to the Irish Oireachtas and international bodies, and her advocacy shaped Ireland's healthcare policies. Recently elected to the Royal Irish Academy (2020), she also holds visiting professorships at top universities worldwide.

Notable contributions include groundbreaking reports on post-mortem practices, patient safety standards, and reproductive rights legislation. Her research emphasizes ethical governance in emerging biotechnologies and healthcare transparency.