Dr Zuzana Deans
B.A.(Hull), M.Phil.(Birm.), PhD(Keele)
Expertise
Zuzana Deans' areas of expertise include the ethics of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), research integrity, clinical ethics and conscientious refusals. Zuzana also conducts education research in relation to medical ethics.
Current positions
Associate Professor in Bioethics
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Contact
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Biography
Zuzana has the role of Senior Tutor, providing students with support and guidance during their academic journey. Zuzana teaches ethics across the MBChB programme and leads the intercalated BSc Bioethics programme at the University of Bristol. Zuzana is a member of the Education Committee of the Institute of Medical Ethics and also brings her expertise to the RUH Bath Clinical Ethics Advisory Group.
Research interests
Zuzana Deans works in applied ethics, specifically biomedical ethics. She collaborates with colleagues across disciplines, especially in clinical practice and philosophy. Zuzana is engaged in and supervises project in a range of topics, often incorporating empirical methods and philosophical enquiry.
Zuzana has made valuable contributions to bioethics research, including the SAFE and RAPID projects concerning the ethical implications of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and working with the Nuffield Council on Bioethics on the ethics of NIPT.
One of Zuzana’s areas of expertise is research ethics. She played a key role in the EU-funded PRINTEGER project on research integrity, and is on the Editorial Board of the Research Ethics journal. Zuzana has also published in conscientious refusals and is involved in education research in relation to medical ethics education.
Projects and supervisions
Thesis supervisions
Ethical issues in labour care in Sri Lanka
Supervisors
Publications
Recent publications
18/01/2025Assessing ethics and law in medical schools: there is no single best answer
Journal of Medical Ethics
The medical licensing assessment will fall short of determining whether a UK medical graduate behaves ethically
British Journal of Hospital Medicine
Assessment of undergraduate medical students' understanding and application of ethics
British Journal of Hospital Medicine
“It is Very Difficult for us to Separate Ourselves from this System”: Views of European Researchers, Research Managers, Administrators and Governance Advisors on Structural and Institutional Influences on Research Integrity.
Journal of Academic Ethics
Survey Of UK Clinicians’ Approaches To Decision-Making In Neonatal Intestinal Failure
Frontline Gastroenterology
Teaching
Zuzana contributes to national work on medical ethics education, and is a member of the Institute of Medical Ethics Education Committee. She is currently working with colleagues across the UK to assess the readiness of UK medical schools for the new Medical Licensing Assessment, specifically concerning ethics and law teaching and assessment.
Related people
Dr Simon Collin
Honorary Senior Research Fellow
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Professor Richard Huxtable
Professor of Medical Ethics and Law
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Dr Nicola Mills
Senior Research Fellow
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Dr Lucy Beasant
Senior Research Associate (Coping Study) in Religious/Spiritual Beliefs, Behaviours and Health
Bristol Medical School (PHS)