Biography

Deb is a Lecturer in Sociology at Swinburne University of Technology where she is also a member of the Australian Centre for Emerging Technologies and Society and co-editor of the Australian Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society.

Deb's research background is in the private and higher education sectors, and she has published and presented in the areas of young people and sexual health; same-sex attracted youth; social aspects of assisted reproductive technologies and violence against women.

She completed her PhD in 2006 at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University. Her thesis explored concepts of family and kinship among Australian lesbian and gay parents. Deb is currently working on a study of how assisted reproductive technologies influence the meaning and experience of fatherhood

Teaching

Introductory sociology

Sociology of the family

Social research design

Research Interests

Social aspects of biotechnology, particularly assisted reproductive technologies

same-sex relationships, society and the law

young people, sexuality and sexual health

Publications Include

Dempsey, D. (2006) ‘Active Fathers, Natural Families and Children's Origins: Dominant Themes in the Australian Political Debate over Eligibility for Assisted Reproductive Technology', Australian Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society , Vol. 4, No. 1.

Dempsey, D. (2005) ‘Lesbians' right-to-choose, children's right-to-know' in Jones, H.G. and Kirkman, M. (eds.) Sperm Wars , ABC Books, Sydney.

Dempsey, D. (2004) ‘Donor, Father or Parent?: Conceiving Paternity in the Australian Family Court', International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Vol. 18, pp. 76-102.

Dempsey, D. (2002) ‘Reproducing Intimacy and Kinship beyond Intercourse: lesbians practising self-insemination', Meridian, (special issue: The Fertile Imagination), Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 103-121.

McNair, R., Dempsey, D., Wise, S., Perlesz, A. (2002) ‘Lesbian Parenthood: Issues, Strengths and Challenges, Family Matters , No. 63, Spring/Summer, pp.40- 49.

Professional Association Memberships

Member The Australian Sociological Association (TASA)

Awards and Grants

Swinburne Research Development Scheme, 2007 ‘Technologically mediated fatherhood: meanings and practices in an Australian socio-cultural context'.