Dr. Michelle De Souza serves as a Lecturer in the UWA Law School at the University of Western Australia. She obtained her PhD from the University of Sydney on 21 May 2021 for her thesis titled 'The Regulation of Embryo Testing in Australia: A Principles-based Approach', forthcoming as a 218-page book published by Springer in January 2025. Her teaching responsibilities include undergraduate and postgraduate units such as Introduction to Law (LAWS1104), Health Law and Policy (LAWS5181), International Law and the Sustainable Development Goals (LAWS3214), and Law, Advocacy, Activism and Change (LAWS3316). Prior to UWA, she held an academic position at the University of New England Law School.

De Souza specializes in the regulation of assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy, preimplantation genetic testing, health law, regulation, and torts. As Deputy Chair of the Western Australia Reproductive Technology Council, she contributes to policy in reproductive technologies. She is a member of the UWA Centre for Health Law and Policy and authored its submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission's Review of Surrogacy Laws on 19 December 2025. In 2024, she received the UWA Law School Excellence in Teaching Award. Key publications include 'An Award of Damages for Commercial Surrogacy Overseas?' (Journal of Law and Medicine, 30(1), 166-178, 2023), 'Testing Embryos for IQ' (Law, Technology and Humans, 5(1), 74-89, 2023), 'Regulating preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Australia: Disability and parental choice' (2015), 'Applying the Open Future Argument to the Preimplantation Embryo' (conference paper, 2023), 'IVF Heist: Romantic Getaway on Binge Explores the Desperation Couples can Feel During the Costly IVF Journey' (The Conversation, 2023), and a book chapter 'Pre-conception, Conception and Birth'. Her research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Professional Email: michelle.desouza@uwa.edu.au