Sarah Sivers

Dr. Sarah Sivers is a Professor in the School of Law & Social Sciences at Robert Gordon University, specializing in healthcare law and ethics. She holds a PhD in criminal law from the University of Edinburgh and serves as a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts (FRSA) and Advance HE.

Her research focuses on critical issues in medical ethics, particularly:

• End-of-life ethics and decision-making
• Advance care planning and directives
• Dispute resolution in pediatric treatment
• Autonomy, capacity and medical decision-making
• Legal frameworks for assisted dying

Dr. Sivers' recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on resolving conflicts between parents and clinicians regarding pediatric end-of-life care in Scotland, with multiple studies examining pathways to dispute resolution that avoid court intervention. Her work bridges theoretical legal frameworks with practical healthcare applications.

Her scholarly recognition includes:

• Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts (FRSA)
• Advanced HE Fellowship
• External examiner appointments at multiple universities

Dr. Sivers actively supervises PhD students on topics related to medical ethics and law, with recent supervision including theses on Nigerian legal frameworks, environmental law, and commercial arbitration. She has served on both the North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee and the Clinical Ethics Committee for NHS Grampian, providing practical context for her academic work.

Her research group collaborates with NHS Grampian on dispute resolution projects and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health, inequality reduction, and justice systems.