Samuel Boyle

Dr Samuel Boyle is a Senior Lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in the School of Law within the Faculty of Business and Law. He holds a PhD from the University of Queensland and is admitted as a solicitor in Queensland.

His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Queensland focusing on capacity to refuse medical treatment in the case of Anorexia Nervosa. Prior to joining QUT, he lectured at the University of Queensland and the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK.

Dr Boyle's research centers on medical law and mental health law, with particular expertise in legal capacity determination, involuntary treatment for mental illness, and consent for medical treatment. His work spans theoretical legal analysis and practical applications in healthcare settings, with numerous publications examining capacity assessment frameworks, mental health tribunals, and the intersection of law and clinical practice. His research has significant implications for vulnerable populations including those with mental illness, cognitive impairment, and individuals in youth justice systems.

His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on capacity assessment across various contexts including voluntary assisted dying, dementia care, reproductive healthcare, and youth justice. His work consistently examines how legal frameworks interact with clinical practice and ethical considerations.

Dr Boyle is actively engaged with professional communities as a member of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research and the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law.

His professional experience includes work at LawRight (formerly QPILCH), a community legal center, providing practical legal perspective to his academic work. He teaches health law courses including Health Law and Practice, Health Care Law and Ethics, and property law.