Welcome to our first event of 2018! We are thrilled to be hosting our first event in partnership with the University of Queensland Critical Thinking Project.
Join us and our dynamic and expert panel to explore the complex issue of cognitive bias in forensic reporting. Dr. Catherine Skellern, Mr. Peter Ellerton, Prof. Karen Healy and Mr. Benjamin Dighton will give medical, philosophical, social, and legal perspectives on this issue, followed by an interactive panel and audience discussion.
Within the rules of evidence, medical experts are required to maintain objectivity when formulating an opinion, and in the courtroom, legal advocates use cross-examination to expose bias. The layperson may erroneously assume that science always holds definitive and reliable answers, however, there is often significant ambiguity and uncertainty. How doctors respond to uncertainty in medical evidence will influence the reliability of the opinions they provide to the courts. Given the high stakes decisions that are made based on these opinions, this is an important issue.
In this HEAL panel session, we explore cognitive bias in forensic reporting. Catherine Skellern, a Child Protection and Forensic Paediatrician, will present the challenges faced by doctors in this context, and her recommendations for minimising cognitive bias. Karen Healy, Peter Ellerton and Ben Dighton will give social, philosophical, and legal perspectives on the issue, followed by an interactive panel and audience discussion.
Date: Tuesday 15th May 2018
Venue: University of Queensland, Abel Smith Lecture Theatre, St Lucia, 4072
Time: 6pm doors open and refreshments for a 6:30pm start until 8:00pm
Entry: All are welcome and entry is free
Please RSVP by clicking the link below. Unable to make it but still want to listen? Download the Zoom app on your device and type in meeting ID 196-714-242.
Please email qldheal@gmail.com if you have any special access requirements so that we can assist in meeting these
Dr Catherine Skellern, Eminent Staff Specialist, Children Protection and Forensic Medicine Service, Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, Children’s Health Queensland.
Dr Catherine Skellern is a paediatric forensic physician who has been working in child protection for the last 18 years. She has Fellowships in the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Division of Paediatrics and in the Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine within the Royal College of Pathologists, Australasia. She provides medico-legal expert opinions in relation to suspicious injuries in children for child protection and criminal investigations and has written a number of papers which have focused on forensic practices within medical child protection assessments that relate to being a medical expert and provision of evidence. One paper published in 2015 forms the basis of tonight’s discussion which focuses on the issue of bias, in which she explores what it is and proposes how it can be managed within forensic child protection assessments
Mr Peter Ellerton, Director UQ Critical Thinking Project, Lecturer in Critical Thinking, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry
Peter Ellerton is a science educator, philosopher and is the Curriculum Director of the University of Queensland Critical Thinking Project. He also lectures in Philosophy at the University of Queensland School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry. Peter is the former Head of Experimental Science at the Queensland Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology. He has published papers on epistemology, critical reasoning, metacognition, and educational strategies for developing critical thinking in students.
Professor Karen Healy, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland.
Professor Karen Healy’s research focuses on promoting a healthy start to life for vulnerable children, young people and families. In 2016, she was appointed a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her contribution to social work particularly in child protection, higher education and research.
Mr Benjamin Dighton, Barrister
Benjamin Dighton is a barrister practising in administrative, criminal and regulatory matters. He has appeared for children, parents, carers and state agencies in a wide range of child protection litigation. He was appointed Counsel Assisting in the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory
