As we continue our #MyFirstPaper campaign, this week we spotlight Dr Stuart Oultram about the first paper he published. Stuart is a Lecturer in Bioethics from the Department of Public Health, Policy, and Systems.
What was the title of your first paper and who was it submitted to?
The Challenge of 'Sperm Ships': The need for the global regulation of medical technology
My First paper was co-authored with Dr David Hunter (University of Adelaide) and it was published in the Journal of Medical Ethics in 2008.
How would you explain what this paper was about to your grandparents?
The paper examined the regulatory challenges faced by governments when ships anchored off-shore in international waters to offer access to medical technologies and procedures to the citizens of a country that have been restricted or banned by that country’s government.
What was the most significant thing for you about that paper?
It was my first publication and it taught me a lot about the academic publishing process.
What advice would you give to others about submitting their first paper?
Submitting your paper to a Journal can (depending on the Journal) take longer that you would think, so make sure you set aside a reasonable amount of time to do it.