Philosophy student profiles at Murdoch University

Kerrie's story

Like many students of philosophy, Kerrie began her studies in philosophy at Murdoch as part of a career changing decision.

Previously a dentist, she took the opportunity to complete further study and she chose philosophy because she was interested in working in an ethics related field. She completed a specially designed Master of Arts by Personal Program combining set courses on ethics, including Ethics, Business and the Professions, History of Moral and Political Philosophy, Feminist Approaches to Bioethics, and Ethics of Euthanasia with a research project in assisted reproductive technologies.

Kerrie’s interest in the practice of ethics and the ways in which organizations attempt to ensure ethical practice among their participants then led her to embark of a PhD research project in philosophy exploring the ethics and efficacy of organisational codes of ethics.

At the same time she also joined the National Health and Medical Research Council as an Assistant Director in the Quality Regulation division where she worked on a national project aimed at the harmonisation of review by medical research ethics committees.

She has now returned to her research and will complete her PhD in 2012.