Search

The present study aimed to explore UK intending parent’s reasons for cross-border and domestic surrogacy, their preparations for the birth and the practical and legal challenges faced after the birth. An online survey was completed by 203 participants, of which 132 had a child had born through surrogacy, 33 were in the process of surrogacy and 38 were planning a surrogacy arrangement. The most common reason for pursuing surrogacy in the UK was wanting a relationship with the surrogate (43%, 17) and for the USA it was having a better legal framework (97%, 60). Parents returning to the UK from countries other than USA experienced greater delay and difficulties in obtaining the necessary documents for their return. This study highlights the disparities in parents’ experiences of undergoing surrogacy in different countries, the frustrations some face in obtaining legal parenthood and the feelings of stress and anxiety this may cause. Whilst this is the first study comparing the experiences of people from the UK having surrogacy in different countries, the representativeness of the sample is unknown. The findings are important in identifying future directions for research, including assessing the impact of these early decisions and experiences for later parental wellbeing and children’s welfare.

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link. This article presents information about the social, legal and medical issues that medical and non-medical practitioners in the UK should consider in order to signpost options for people living with HIV (PLWH) who are not in a heterosexual relationship and want to become parents. Despite significant medical advances, increased medical awareness amongst HIV practitioners, and the ability to live a full life with HIV, stigma still exists around PLWH wanting to have children. There is a lack of awareness amongst the general public and the non-specialist medical community, about the realities of living with HIV, and the options available to become a parent. Vertical transmission rates in the UK are very low (

Research indicates that for many multinational companies, the global skills shortage has made it difficult to attract competent workers to some international locations. In developing economies, business leaders often cite poor business acumen and little real‐world experience as serious shortcomings in the domestic pool of applicants. In addition to the skills shortage, businesses are currently confronting a global economic crisis, which has seen many economies slump into recession. Despite this economic downturn, Australia has continued to thrive as a destination of choice for international students. As the reputation of Australia’s work‐integrated learning (WIL) expertise grows, so too does its international following. Offering some of the more robust project‐based learning experiences, Australian universities have become the first choice for many international students seeking to enhance their workplace readiness. Two Australian institutions attracting attention for their approaches to WIL are Griffith ...

A range of terms is used in Australian higher education institutions to describe learning approaches and teaching models that provide students with opportunities to engage in learning connected to the world of work. The umbrella term currently being used widely is Work-Integrated Learning (WIL). The common aim of approaches captured under the term WIL is to integrate discipline-specific knowledge learnt in university setting with that learnt in the practice of work through purposefully designed curriculum. In endeavours to extend WIL opportunities for students, universities are currently exploring authentic learning experiences, both within and outside of university settings. Some universities describe these approaches as ‘real-world learning’ or ‘professional learning’. Others refer to ‘social engagement’ with the community and focus on building social capital and citizenship through curriculum design that enables students to engage with the professions through a range of learning experiences. This chapter discusses the context for, and the scope, purposes, characteristics and effectiveness of, WIL across Australian universities as derived from a national scoping study. This study, undertaken in response to a high level of interest in WIL, involved data collection from employers and representatives of state and federal government and students and staff at nearly all Australian universities. Participants in the study consistently reported the benefits, especially in relation to the student-learning experience. Responses highlight the importance of strong partnerships between stakeholders to facilitate effective learning outcomes and a range of issues that shape the quality of approaches and models being adopted, in promoting professional learning.

UK law has for many years taken a careful approach to surrogacy, neither banning it nor allowing it to develop unrestrictedly. This careful middle approach seeks to balance permitting what may be a last hope for infertile couples against a wider public policy that bars commercialized reproduction: surrogacy is allowed in the UK, provided it is consensual and involves the payment of no more than reasonable expenses. But in an increasingly globalized world, patients are crossing borders for treatment, often to places where such restrictions on the commerciality or enforceability of surrogacy arrangements do not apply. The resulting conflicts of law can be a minefield, and this makes the maintenance of the UK's careful legal balance increasingly untenable.