Jessie Cooper

Dr Jessie Cooper is a Senior Lecturer in the Sociology of Health at City St George's, University of London, within the School of Health & Psychological Sciences and the Department of Health Services Research and Management. She holds a PhD in Medical Sociology from the University of Liverpool and is also an Honorary Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Liverpool. Her academic work bridges sociology, public health, and medical ethics, with a strong emphasis on qualitative methodologies.

Her research is centered on three interconnected domains: the social and ethical dimensions of organ donation and transplantation, critical science and technology studies (STS) in medicine, and health inequalities. She employs ethnographic and narrative approaches to explore how medical practices are socially constructed, particularly in high-stakes contexts like end-of-life care and organ donation after circulatory death (DCD). Her recent work critically examines consent processes, institutional practices, and the lived experiences of healthcare professionals and patients.

Her publication record is robust and recent, with articles in top journals such as Sociology of Health & Illness, BioSocieties, and BMC Health Services Research. The 15 most recent articles reveal a consistent focus on ethical tensions in organ donation, the implementation of health policies, patient and public involvement in guideline development, and the socio-spatial aspects of care. Her research often combines theoretical depth with practical policy relevance, contributing to national and international debates on medical ethics and health equity.

• Fellow, Higher Education Academy

Dr Cooper is actively involved in research leadership, having served as Principal Investigator on projects funded by NHS Blood and Transplant and the NIHR. She supervises doctoral students on topics related to health inequalities and organ donation. Her teaching includes module leadership for courses on health, illness, and advanced research methods. She has also organized key academic events, such as the 'Organs, Tissues, Contexts' symposium, and collaborates widely with researchers across the UK and internationally.

She is affiliated with research teams working on gastrointestinal infections, viral encephalitis, and clean cooking fuel initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to interdisciplinary and socially impactful research. Her work often addresses how structural and institutional factors shape health outcomes and medical decision-making, particularly for marginalized populations.