Cathy Herbrand

Professor Cathy Herbrand

Job: Professor of Medical and Family Sociology

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences

School/department: School of Applied Social Sciences

Research group(s): Centre for Reproduction Research - Centre Deputy Director

Address: De 51吃瓜app University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH

T: +44 (0)1162506422

E: cathy.herbrand@dmu.ac.uk

W: /hls

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Personal profile

Cathy Herbrand is a Professor of Medical and Family Sociology and the Deputy Director of the Centre for Reproduction Research. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the Université libre de Bruxelles which was funded by the Belgian Scientific Research Funds (FNRS). As a FNRS Postdoctoral Researcher, she was a Visiting Fellow at the Social Science, Health and Medicine Department at King’s College London and at the BIOS Research Centre at London School of Economics and Political Science, as well as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Ottawa.

Cathy is an appointed member of the Belgian Advisory Committee on Bioethics (2014-2023) and currently co-chairs the subcommittee to produce policy and ethics recommendations on surrogacy regulation in Belgium (advisory report expected to be published in June 2023). Previously, she contributed to the advisory reports on: non-invasive prenatal testing (report n°66 – 9 May 2016); male circumcision (report n°70 – 8 May 2017); sex chromosomal aneuploidies (report n°76 – 30 April 2021).

Her research interests lie in the sociological and anthropological study of new family forms, biotechnologies and genetics, with a particular focus on reproductive decision-making, multi-parenthood and gender issues. She is especially interested in exploring the interactions between new parental forms and reproductive practices and their legal regulation. Her publications appear in Bioethics, Sociology of Health and Illness, BioSocieties, Anthropology and Medicine, Journal of Medical Law and Ethics, etc. (see Publications).

Cathy has recently been awarded a large-scale ESRC Research Grant (£595K) to conduct a collaborative and interdisciplinary study on (Feb 2023 – Jan 2026) in partnership with the Progress Educational Trust. Informed by scholarship in medical sociology with insights from science and technology studies, bioethics and political economy, this project investigates the emergence of expanded carrier screening for preconception use amongst the general population, and its social, ethical, economic and policy implications.

Cathy has also undertaken research on . The aim of the research was to gain a better understanding of the interactions between scientific progress, policies and people’s lives, through the analysis of the debates surrounding mitochondrial replacement techniques under development in the UK and their impacts on families affected by mitochondrial disorders.

Cathy has previously been involved in several international and interdisciplinary collaborative research projects on cross-border surrogacy, egg donation for research and same-sex adoption, including as a co-investigator on the EDNA project: 'Egg donation in the UK, Belgium and Spain: an interdisciplinary study, ESRC Research Grant, led by N. Hudson N. (March 2017 - Aug 2021).

Her previous work explored multi-parenthood through the study of practices and laws around gay and lesbian families in Belgium. Her publications include papers and book chapters on the legal recognition of gay and lesbian parenthood, information-sharing in gamete donation and the comparison of assisted conception laws in Belgium, Quebec and the UK.

Research group affiliations

Centre for Reproduction Research - Deputy Director

Publications and outputs

dc.title: The emergence and use of expanded carrier screening in gamete donation: a new form of repro-genetic selection dc.contributor.author: Hudson, Nicky; Herbrand, C.; Culley, Lorraine dc.description.abstract: With the continued expansion and commercialisation of fertility treatments, the selection and matching of donors has become more sophisticated and technologised. As part of this landscape, new form of genetic screening: 鈥榚xpanded carrier screening鈥� (ECS) is being offered as a technique to avoid the risk of donors passing on genetic conditions to future offspring. Allowing donors to be tested for hundreds of genetic conditions simultaneously, ECS marks a considerable departure from traditional 鈥榝amily history鈥� models of screening, which rely on individual鈥檚 knowledge of family health. There is growing evidence of a drive towards the use of ECS within the fertility sector and a growing number of clinics are offering it for a fee, as part of an egg or sperm donation cycle or as an add-on to IVF treatment. In this paper we use methods of critical reflection to synthesise data from two studies to explore how ECS is being used to avoid genetic risk in IVF treatment using donor gametes. We suggest that ECS is a new form of repro-genetic selection 鈥� a selective reproductive technology - with specific and important implications for donors, recipients and clinicians, and with the potential to reconfigure the scope and application of gamete donation. We examine these implications and conclude that the existing policy blind spot relating to this development in fertility treatment practice needs to be urgently addressed.
dc.title: Reproductive decisions and mitochondrial disease: disruption, risk and uncertainty dc.contributor.author: Herbrand, C.
dc.title: Making patients political: Narrating, curating, enacting, and navigating the 鈥榠dealised policy patient鈥� dc.contributor.author: Dimond, Rebecca; Stephens, Neil; Herbrand, C. dc.description.abstract: In this article we develop the concept of the 鈥榠dealised policy patient鈥� to contribute to a better understanding of patient-family activism and the mechanisms through which powerful and persuasive patient narratives are facilitated and mobilised. The context through which we explore the idealised policy patient is the UK debates about the legalisation of mitochondrial donation, which primarily took place between 2011 and 2015. In our example, the idealised policy patient was constructed around a culturally persuasive narrative of patient suffering, where mitochondrial donation was presented as a desirable and ethical solution. We draw on interviews with patient-families and stakeholders, and documentary analysis to identify four dimensions of the idealised policy patient 鈥� narrating, curating, enacting and navigating. Narrating describes how the idealised policy patient appears in public and policy spaces, as a culturally available narrative which conveys certain meanings and is designed to invoke an emotional and practical response. Curating identifies the multiple forms of labour and facilitation involved in supporting patient-families in activist activities which strengthen the dominant narrative and its embodiment. Enacting focuses on the work of patient-families themselves in supporting and contributing to the idealised policy patient in a way that enlivens and embodies the specifically curated narrative. Finally, navigating considers how those offering an opposing viewpoint position themselves in relation to the idealised policy patient. To conclude, we argue that medical sociology has often given insufficient scrutiny to how the capacity of patients to leverage their status for political ends is bolstered through alignment with existing powerful groups, particularly in hegemonic campaigns. We encourage future researchers to examine how the idealised policy patient is reproduced and reorientated within different policy contexts. dc.description: open access article
dc.title: Silences, omissions, and oversimplification? The UK debate on mitochondrial donation dc.contributor.author: Herbrand, C. dc.description.abstract: Drawing on scholarship from ignorance studies, this paper uses the case of the UK debates on mitochondrial donation (2012-2015) to emphasise the importance of deploying an analysis of ignorance which goes beyond medical and safety concerns when scrutinising debates or campaigns around new reproductive technologies. In contrast to what happened with previous reproductive health treatments or drugs, the potential medical risks of mitochondrial donation were explicitly acknowledged and examined during its public and parliamentary discussions. However, I show, using the concepts of 鈥榓cknowledged unknowns鈥� and 鈥榠gnored knowns鈥�, how the attention drawn to the medical risks contributed to obscure the assessment of its economic and social impacts by silencing key knowledge regarding the limitations of mitochondrial donation in relation to the potential beneficiaries, the scope of the techniques, their alternatives and their costs. This paper therefore calls for a more systematic use of an integrated analytical framework of ignorance to be applied in the field of reproductive public policies, paying particular attention not only to the ways medical risks are addressed, but also to the type of knowledge and disciplines this allows to silence or side-line in the framing and assessment of new biotechnologies. dc.description: 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.
dc.title: Powering life through MitoTechnologies: Exploring the bio-objectification of mitochondria in reproduction dc.contributor.author: B眉hler, Nolwenn; Herbrand, C. dc.description.abstract: Mitochondria, the organelles providing the cell with energy, have recently gained greater public visibility in the UK and beyond, through the introduction of two reproductive technologies which involve their manipulation, specifically 鈥榤itochondrial donation鈥� to prevent the maternal transmission of inherited disorders, and 鈥楢ugment鈥� to improve egg quality and fertility. Focusing on these two 鈥楳itoTechnologies鈥� and mobilising the conceptual framework of 鈥渂io-objectification鈥�, we examine three key processes whereby mitochondria are made to appear to have a life of their own: their transferability, their optimisation of life processes and their capitalisation. We then explore the implications of their bio-objectification in the bioeconomy of reproduction. Drawing on publicly available material collected in two research projects, we argue that mitochondria become a biopolitical agent by contributing to the redefinition of life as something that can be boosted at the cellular level and in reproduction. Mitochondria are now presented as playing a key role for a successful and healthy conception through the development and promotion of MitoTechnologies. We also show how their 鈥渞evitalising power鈥� is invested with great promissory capital, mainly deriving from their ethical and scientific biovalue in the case of mitochondrial donation, and from the logics of assetisation, in the case of Augment. dc.description: open access article
dc.title: Reframing egg donation in Europe: new regulatory challenges for a shifting landscape dc.contributor.author: Hudson, Nicky; Culley, Lorraine; Herbrand, C.; Pavone, Vincenzo; Pennings, Guido; Provoost, Veerle; Coveney, Catherine; LaFuente, Sara dc.description.abstract: The first birth from a donated egg was reported in Australia in 1984, ushering in a new era of possibilities for the treatment of infertility (1). Since then egg donation has undergone a number of technical, regulatory and commercial transformations. Its use by a growing and diverse range of social groups and more recently the dawn of advanced freezing technologies, have reconfigured the process. Given the transformation in its organisation and practice, there is a pressing need to map these changes in finer detail and to ask critical questions about the continued fit of existing policy and regulation in this rapidly developing landscape of fertility medicine. In this paper we present a 鈥榗ritical reflection鈥� (2) on developing practices in egg donation, which we suggest are reshaping the character of egg donation as well as raising questions regarding their implications for policy. We highlight a number of policy 鈥榖lind-spots鈥� relating specifically to information giving and informed consent for egg providers, the emergence and entry of a range of intermediaries and a shift towards certain practices which may see eggs increasingly treated as tradable commodities. We call for a re-contextualising of the debate on egg donation and for renewed attention to the new political economy of egg donation in Europe. dc.description: 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.
dc.title: A comparative analysis of marketing materials used to recruit egg donors in Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom (Poster). dc.contributor.author: Culley, Lorraine; Hudson, Nicky; Coveney, C.; Herbrand, C.; Lafuente, S.; Pavone, V.; Pennings, G. dc.description.abstract: Study question: How is egg donation framed in clinic marketing material used to recruit and/or inform potential egg donors in (Dutch speaking) Belgium, Spain and the UK? Summary answer: In Belgium, egg donation (ED) was constructed as an engagement that required considerable investment and entailed clear risks in contrast to Spain and the UK. What is known already: Across Europe, ED recruitment is performed in different ways. Some countries permit a range of advertising methods while others limit or completely prohibit any form of advertising relating to human bodily material (e.g. Belgium). Much of the existing research on recruitment of gamete donors comes from the US where market forces shape practice more directly. This paper focusses on Belgium, Spain and the UK 鈥� three countries that hold a stake in the growing global reproductive bio-economy and share features of technological innovation and expertise, but have adopted different regulatory positions in relation to the governance and marketing of ED. Study design, size, duration: An interdisciplinary team of researchers (bioethics, political economy, sociology) conducted a content analysis (including high frequency words analysis) as well as a comparative thematic analysis to consider 鈥榝raming鈥� of egg donation in the data. Interdisciplinary auditing was used to challenge constructed categories and the conceptual framework at several points in the analysis. The findings were compared with country laws and informed consent rules and the implications for informed consent were studied. Participants: In Belgium, all Dutch language websites of centres were included compared to around 20 clinic websites in both Spain and the UK. For the latter countries, maximum variation sampling was used taking into account geographical location, number of cycles, and sector (public/private). In Belgium, ED is almost entirely situated in the publicly funded system whereas in Spain and the UK it is mainly performed in the private sector. Main results and the role of chance: In all three countries, ED recipients were presented as women whose fertility problems were no fault of their own, constructing a clear need for the donor to fulfil. Descriptions of medical profiles included 鈥榚arly menopause鈥� while natural menopause was absent. With regard to the act of donating, in Spain and the UK, words such as 鈥榮haring鈥�, and 鈥榟elping鈥� were considerably more frequently used compared to the Belgian data. Especially in Spain, ED was constructed as a form of solidarity between women nonetheless with a clear emphasis on the compensation. In Belgium, where clinic advertising is strictly regulated, ED was presented as requiring a considerable investment of time and energy from the donor. Potential egg donors in Belgium were repeatedly warned that the act was 鈥榥ot straightforward鈥� and 鈥榮omething to reflect about very carefully鈥�. The Belgian material also appeared to be more focussed on risks and side effects than the Spain and UK material. The data were analysed within the policy context of the countries. We will discuss the possible impact of the public/private sector setting and of the Belgian ban on advertising for the way ED is framed and the implications of the differences in marketing material for informed consent. Limitations, reasons for caution: The results are limited to three countries, and to a (well considered) selection of clinics, therefore precluding generalisation to whole countries. Further research will be needed on the effects of recruitment discourses on potential donors in order to generate more general conclusions and recommendations. Wider implications of the findings: These results can contribute to a more complete understanding of the recruitment of egg donors as a practice that depends on specific discourses and is embedded in particular policy contexts. The identification of problematic framing of marketing material is crucial in terms of safeguarding true informed consent of donors.
dc.title: Investigating the cultural, political and moral framing of egg donation: an interdisciplinary study of the UK, Belgium and Spain. dc.contributor.author: Hudson, Nicky; Culley, Lorraine; Coveney, C.; Herbrand, C.; Pavone, V.; Pennings, P.; Provoost, V. dc.description.abstract: Donated eggs are now used in over 25,000 IVF treatment cycles in Europe, creating over 7000 babies per year yet evidence about the motivation, decision making and experiences of women who provide eggs, the views of clinicians, or the role of newly emerging intermediaries in the growing transnational market in human reproduction remains partial. The growing provision of eggs by some women for use in the reproductive projects of others is the subject of fierce political and ethical debate and presents a number of dilemmas for practice and policy. Drawing on a current, ESRC-funded study of three European cases, this paper explores the ways in which egg donation is framed in social, political and moral terms the UK, Spain and Belgium. These three countries hold a stake in the growing global reproductive bio-economy and share features of technological innovation and expertise, but have each adopted differing regulatory positions in relation to the governance of egg donation, especially with regards its marketing, levels of financial compensation for donors, and their identifiability. Presenting data collected in each country via interviews with policy representatives, mapping of national policy documents and textual analysis of marketing materials, the paper uses the concept of 鈥榝raming鈥� (Fischer 2003) to explore how egg donation is constructed and prioritised at the national level. We suggest that a comparison of how the issue is selected, organised and interpreted in differing national contexts can generate an enhanced understanding of egg donation as a social, political, economic and moral practice
dc.title: Re-thinking egg donation in Europe: expanding practice, extending boundaries. dc.contributor.author: Hudson, Nicky; Culley, Lorraine; Coveney, C.; Herbrand, C.; Pavone, V.; Lafuente, S.; Pennings, G.; Provoost, V.; Weis, Christina dc.description.abstract: The expansion of the use of donor eggs in fertility treatment has been exponential. Whilst the majority of egg donation historically took place in the US, donor eggs are used in over 56, 000 cycles of fertility treatment per year in Europe and a number of European egg donation 鈥榟ubs鈥� have emerged, for example in Spain and Cyprus. Growth in the use of donor eggs in part reflects a changing profile amongst users of assisted reproductive technologies, including growing numbers of older women, male same sex couples, and those at risk from genetic conditions. An increasing number of egg donor 鈥榠ntermediaries鈥� such as egg banks and agencies have also emerged in the European context, reflecting a general shift towards an increasingly commercialised landscape around fertility treatment provision. Despite these changes, few studies have specifically considered their implications. Drawing on an ESRC-funded study on the economic, political and moral configuration of egg donation in the UK, Spain and Belgium, we suggest that changes in the ways egg donation is provided in the European context are worthy of increased attention. Data from policy mapping and interviews with policy stakeholders and professionals illustrate significant shifts in professional and commercial practice. These changes are reshaping the intersubjective, political and social boundaries involved in egg donation in novel and complex ways. We suggest that the expansion and diversification of its use has implications for the policy and regulation of egg donation the European context.
dc.title: Gifting, sharing, donating, helping: tracing discourses of altruism and medical need in clinics' recruitment of egg providers dc.contributor.author: Hudson, Nicky; Culley, Lorraine; Coveney, C.; Lafuente, S.; Herbrand, C.; Provoost, V.; Pavone, V.; Pennings, G. dc.description.abstract: Fertility treatment using donor eggs is a growing phenomenon, with over 40,000 cycles performed across Europe per year. European regulations stipulate that in advertising for women to come forward as egg providers, promotional materials must uphold the principles of voluntary and unpaid donation (VUD). This is interpreted differently between countries with some permitting a range of advertising methods and others limiting or prohibiting any form of advertising relating to human bodily material. This paper examines how egg donation is framed in fertility clinic marketing and recruitment discourse as a particular form of bodily donation associated with the treatment of infertility. It draws on a sample of 58 fertility clinic websites across the UK, Belgium and Spain and analysed using a combination of content analysis and frame analysis. We examine the ways in which clinic marketing materials present a particular version of what egg donation involves and an image of the type of woman who acts as an egg donor. We suggest that clinic websites are important cultural spaces that manage the tensions of the market and the logics of altruism within the European context. We illustrate how the promissory potential of donor eggs and associated 鈥榗ure narratives鈥� are drawn from a distinctly biomedicalised and individualised imaginary which renders egg provision as a noble and socially essential action. In this way egg donation can be framed as a culturally valued practice that should be separated from the logics of the market.

Research interests/expertise

Sociology of reproduction, especially reproductive technologies, mitochondrial donation, egg donation, surrogacy and expanded carrier screening
Kinship studies, especially gay and lesbian families and multi-parental families
Gender and Sexuality Studies
Sociology of medicine, especially genetic rare conditions, such as mitochondrial disorders
Family and reproductive laws and public policies
Qualitative research methods

Areas of teaching

Family and Reproduction
Gender and Sexuality
Social Research Methods
Studying and recruiting vulnerable populations
Sociology
Health and Medicine
Feminist Anthropology

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Sociology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (2004 – 2008)
MRes in Sociology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (2003 – 2004)
MA in Sociology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (2001 – 2003)
BA in Sociology and Anthropology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (1999 – 2001)

Courses taught

Leader of the Master module ‘Making Sense of Quantitative and Qualitative Data’ (HEST5016), De 51吃瓜app University.
Guest Lecturer since 2013 on the MA Module 'Researching vulnerable populations' at King's College London. Sessions on 'Sampling and recruiting vulnerable and hard to reach groups' and 'Encouraging participation in research'.
Doctoral Training Programme in Research Methods (Feb 2016, De 51吃瓜app University). Session on 'Handling sensitive issues in interviewing'.
BA Module 'Gender, health and healthcare' (Feb 2015-16, De 51吃瓜app University). Session on 'Reproductive choices in the context of mitochondriql disorders.
Module 'MA Applied Health Studies' (Jan 2015-16, De 51吃瓜app University). Session on 'Qualitative methods and Data Analysis'.
BA Module 'Ethnology History' (as a guest lecturer - 19 May 2015- University of Neuchatel, Switzerland). Session entitled 'Feminist anthropology' (in French).
Teaching assistant of the MA Module 'Advanced Topics in Anthropology: Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality' (2010, in French, 24h) at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Leader of the BA Course 'Introduction to Sociology' (20010, in French, 24h) at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Leader of the BA Course 'Socio-anthropology of Family (Sep 2008 – Jan 2009, in French, 45h) at the University of Ottawa

Honours and awards

AdvancedHE's Leadership Matters Programme (2019): selected to be part of the UK cohort 2019.
51吃瓜app's Future Research Leaders Programme (Jan 2015-Dec 2015), including a research visit with prof. Rayna Rapp at New York University (Nov 2015).

De Monfort Early-Career Research Fellowship (Nov 2013-Oct 2015)
FNRS Four-year Postdoctoral Fellowship (Oct 2008-Sept 2012)
FNRS Four-year PhD scholarship (Oct 2004-Sept 2008)
Overseas research visit grant from the Communauté française (Belgium)
Award from the Sociology Department (ULB) for producing one of the top three 2003 Master Theses
Best graduating student in 2003: Excellence Award from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Membership of external committees

Appointed member of the Belgian Advisory Committee on Bioethics (2014-2023). Chair of the working group on the regulation of surrogacy (2022-20023)
Advisory member of the Public Engagement Board for the project 'Remaking the Human body' led by M. Perrotta (2020-2021)
Member of the expert group set up and regularly consulted by the Belgian Committee for the Children’s Rights (Brussels, May 2010 – 2014)
Invited expert. Debate on “step-families” organised by Les Femmes Prévoyantes Socialistes (Belgium, 26 Mar 2013)
Invited expert. Debate on “the regulation of surrogacy in Belgium” organised by the Belgian Association of Lesbian and Gay Families (Brussels, 30 Nov 2012)
Member of a doctoral jury: dissertation of Katrien De Graeve (University of Gent, 4 May 2012)
Invited expert. Conseil supérieur de l’Adoption (Ministère de la Communauté française, Belgium - 5 Oct 2011).
Member of the Editorial Board. Revue de l’Institut de sociologie (Brussels, 2010 – 2012)
Member of the Scientific Board of a research on transsexuality funded by the Institut pour l’égalité des hommes et des femmes (Brussels, Sep 08-May 09)
Invited expert. Research on step-families funded by the Fondation Roi Baudouin, Apr 2009).

Membership of professional associations and societies

Co-convenor of the British Sociological Association’s Human Reproduction Study Group (HRSG) since 2016
Co-convenor of the British Sociological Association’s East Midlands Medical Sociology Group (EMMS) since 2014
Member of the British Sociological Association (BSA) and the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S)

Projects

Feb 2023 - Jan 2016: Principal Investigator on the ESRC project Reproduction in the age of genomic medicine: the emergence, commercialisation and implications of preconception expanded carrier screening
Nov 2013 - now: MitoFamily Project, funded by De 51吃瓜app University.
Mar 2017 - Aug 2021: Co-investigator on the project Egg donation in the UK, Belgium and Spain: an interdisciplinary study, ESRC Research Grant, Hudson N. (PI), Culley L., Herbrand C. CI), Pennings G., Pavone V.
Jan 2018-Dec 2018 : CI on the collaborative research project ‘Understanding Klinefelter Syndrome: genetics, gender and reproduction’. Funded by the Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness Grant Development Award and led by Dr Esmee Hanna.
Oct 2016-Mar 2017 : Invited expert on the collaborative and interdisciplinary research project ‘The adoption by same-sex parents in Belgium: a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the current situation’. Funded by the Belgian Federation Wallonia-Brussels and led by Dr David Paternotte.
Jan 2015 – Jan 2017: Researcher on the collaborative research project ‘A legal and sociological analysis of cross-border surrogacy in France, the UK, Belgium, and Israel’ funded by the French Ministry of Justice and the CNRS and led by K. Parizer.
Apr 2013 – Aug 2015: Researcher on the collaborative research project ‘BioARReMe: The bioeconomy of reproduction (the mutually constitutive interaction between assisted reproduction and regenerative medicine in Spain and UK)’ funded by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and led by Dr V. Pavone.

Conference attendance

‘Ideals, negotiations and gender roles in gay and lesbian co-parenting arrangements’. Invited speaker to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (EHSRE)’s 51吃瓜app Course on ‘Polyparenthood’, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 15 Oct 2022
‘Is multi-parenthood the new type of parenthood?’. Invited speaker to the Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), Milan, Italy. 6 Jul 2022
‘Selectively stratified: the use of expanded carrier screening in fertility medicine’. Paper presented at the international conference ‘Reproductive Futures: Emergent Injustices, Hopes and Paradoxes’, Tampere University, Finland. 16 Jun 2022

‘Ideals, negotiations and gender roles in gay and lesbian co-parenting arrangements’. Invited speaker at the Scientific Meeting of the Belgian Society for Reproductive Medicine (BSRM), Brussels, Belgium. 25 Mar 2022

‘Recrutement et sélection des donneuses d’ovules en Europe : entre discours altruistes et pressions commerciales’. Invited speaker at the Gender and Sexuality Seminar Series, Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium. 10 Mar 2022

‘La question des origines dans le contexte de la procréation médicalement assistée’. Invited keynote speaker to the annual seminar organised by the Interdisciplinary Network on ARTs and Surrogacy (Cycle interdisciplinaire de réflexion sur la PMA et la GPA), Université de Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, 19 Mar 2021.
‘When inherited disorders disrupt family plans: reproductive dilemmas in the context of mitochondrial disorders’. Paper presented at the online international conference ‘Chronic Living’ organised by the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, 5 Mar 2021.
‘Difficulties and dilemmas when making reproductive choices in the context of mitochondrial disorders’. Invited speaker at the online international conference ‘Mitochondria and Us’ organised by the University of Glasgow, 17 Sep 2020.
‘Silences, omissions, and oversimplification? the UK debate on mitochondrial donation’. Paper presented at the online international symposium ‘Governing Reproductive Bio-economies’ organised at the 4S Annual Conference, 19 Aug 2020.
‘Reproductive and parenting rights for lesbian and gay couples in Belgium: past achievements and current challenges’. Invited speaker at the international symposium ‘ARTs: Regulation across Western Europe’, Universite of Lausanne, Switzerland, 22 Nov 2019.
‘Making reproductive choices in the context of inherited disease: a complex balance between risks, experiential knowledge and practical constraints’. Invited keynote speaker at the BSA Postgraduate Student Event, University of Leicester, 20 Nov 2019.
‘Les défis éthiques de la GPA : entre droits des femmes et droits des gays, quelles possibilités ?’Invited speaker at the international conference on Surrogacy, University libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, 12 Nov 2019.
‘Mitochondrial donation: a new solution for infertility in the reproductive bioeconomy?’ Paper presented at the international symposium ‘The new bioeconomy in eggs’ organised at the 4S Annual Conference, New Orleans, US, 6 Sep 2019.
‘Silences, omissions, and oversimplification: the UK debate on mitochondrial donation’. Invited speaker at Round Table on ‘Patient Needs: Medical Technologies, (in)equalities and new Imaginary Futures’ by the CRASSH, University of Cambridge, UK, 23 Nov 2018.
‘Patients’ needs and hope technologies: who has benefitted from the legalisation of mitochondrial donation in the UK?’Invited speaker at the international conference on ‘Minimising risks, selling promises? Reproductive Health, Techno-Scientific Innovations and the Production of Ignorance’, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, 19 Nov 2018.
‘Having “a child of one’s own” in the context of inherited disease: meanings and motivations of women carrying mitochondrial disorder’. Paper presented at the BSA’s Medical Sociology Group Annual Conference, Glasgow, 12 Sep 2018.
‘Powering life: exploring the bio-objectification of mitochondria in reproduction’. Paper presented at the international EASST conference, Lancaster, 25 Jul 2018.
‘What will happen to our blueprint?’: Genetic identity, inheritance and kinship through the lens of mitochondrial donation debates’. Paper presented at the international conference ‘Remaking Reproduction’, Cambridge, 27 Jun 2018.
‘How was the legalisation of mitochondrial donation possible in the UK? Exploring key strategies employed during the debates’. Invited speaker at the Health Ethics and Law (HEAL) Seminar Series, Southampton University, 8 Nov 2017.

‘Genetic Inheritance and Reproductive Processes through the lens of Mitochondrial Donation’. Paper presented at the Centre for Reproduction Research’s Seminar Series, De 51吃瓜app University, 11 Oct 2017.

‘Mitochondrial donation, patient engagement and narratives of hope’, paper presented at the British Sociological Association Medical Sociology Group Annual Conference, University of York, 15 September 2017.
‘Genome editing: social and ethical challenges’, invited speaker at the Talking about Genome Editing workshop organised by Genetic Alliance UK and Progress Educational Trust, London, 20 May 2017.
‘Techniques de remplacement mitochondrial en Grande-Bretagne: incertitudes médicales et enjeux de régulation’, invited speaker at the EHESS TechnoRep seminar, Paris, France, 15 May 2017.
‘Mitochondrial donation: Who are the potential beneficiaries’, paper presented at The Sociology of Mitochondrial Disorders and Novel Reproductive Technologies Symposium, London, 5 May 2017.
Mitochondrial therapeutic interventions: who will benefit?’, presented at the World Congress of the International Association of Bioethics (IAB), Edinburgh, UK,15 June 2016.
'Mitochondria, the "augment" technique and the reconfiguration of reproductive ageing' (with N. Buhler), presented at the Symposium 'Postponing Childbirth, Extending Fertility? Biotechnologies and the Transformations of Reproductive Life’ , De 51吃瓜app University, UK, 13 May 2016.
'New mitochondrial donation techniques and reproductive choices: perceptions, hopes and ambivalences in women’s accounts’ (with R. Dimond), presented at the BSA Human Reproduction and Families and Relationships Study Groups Conference, University of Roehampton, UK, 11 Nov 2015.
‘Mitochondrial replacement techniques: the “miracle solution” for women to have healthy biological children?’, presented at the International Conference ‘Reproductive rights, new reproductive technologies and the European fertility market’, Bilbao, Spain, 19 Nov 2015.
‘Inheritance and reproductive processes in the lens of mitochondrial replacement techniques’, presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S), Denver, US, 13 Nov 2015.
‘“Conceived from three genetic parents?” Reproduction, inheritance and life processes beyond mitochondrial replacement techniques’. Invited speaker at the Science Studies seminar, Department of Anthropology, New York University, US, 30 Oct 2015.
‘Information sharing in donor conception: considering the impact of differing regulatory approaches in the UK and Belgium’, presented at the British Sociological Association’s Medical Sociology Group Annual Conference, University of York, UK, 10 Sep 2015.
‘Technology of hope vs. the slippery slope?’ Deconstructing the debate on ‘three parent IVF’. Invited keynote speaker at the British Sociological Association’s Human Reproduction Study Group Annual Meeting, Open University, UK, 23 July 2015.
‘Créer un enfant ayant trois "parents" génétiques? Caractéristiques et enjeux socio-anthropologiques des techniques de remplacement mitochondrial’, presentation at the Congress of the Association française d'ethnologie et d'anthropologie, Toulouse, France, 1 July 2015.
‘Medically-based genetic diagnosis vs. experience-based disease definition: consequences for sampling in qualitative research’, presentation at the Global Congress for Qualitative Health Research, Merida, Mexico, 19 Mar 2015.
‘Egg donation in the UK: Key developments and research priorities’ (with N. Hudson and L. Culley), presentation at the workshop ‘Egg donation in Europe: evidence from research, policy and practice’, De 51吃瓜app University, Leicester, 24 Nov 2014.
‘Définition et ampleur des recompositions familiales : le point de vue du sociologue’. Invited speaker at the interdisciplinary conference on ‘Step-families’, Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, 14 Nov 2014.
'Egg procurement in practice: a comparison of the UK and Spain', presented at the International Conference on Critical Kinship Studies, Odense, Denmark,10 Oct 2014.
'Egg procurement in practice: a comparison of the UK and Spain', presented at at the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S) Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 20 Aug 2014.
'Nuclear tranfer techniques for mitochondrial disorders', invited speaker by The Prince’s Teaching Institute, Birkbeck University, London, UK, 14 July 2014.
‘Genetics, reproduction and biotechnologies in the context of mitochondrial disorders’, presented at the Reproduction Research Group Seminar, De 51吃瓜app University, UK, 26 Feb 2014.
“Approche pluridisciplinaire des questions de parentalité”, presented at the XIII Conference of the Belgian Association Family and Law, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, 29 Nov 2013.
“Les impasses de la pluriparentalité en droit belge, français et québécois”, invited speaker at the “Semaine du Genre” organised by the Université de Nice and Alter Egaux, Nice, France, 7 Nov 2013.
“How gay and lesbian couples in coparenting arrangements regard biology and multi-parental recognition”, invited speaker at the Bioethics Institute Ghent, Gent, Belgium. 4 Sep 2013.
Herbrand, C. “Nuclear Transfer Techniques for Mitochondrial Disorders: Ethical Issues with respect to the Germ-line Categorisation”, paper presented at the XX Conference of Law and Human Genome, Bilbao, Spain, 21 May 2013.
Herbrand, C. ‘‘Que devient le parent social lorsque les deux parents biologiques sont présents ? Analyse de coparentalités gaies et lesbiennes’’, paper presented at the international ACFAS Conference « Regards croisés sur les familles issues de la diversité sexuelle », Québec, Canada, 9 May 2013.
Herbrand, C. “Famille, familles: aspects sociologiques”, invited speaker at the conference organised by the association Femmes Prévoyantes Socialistes, Brussels, Belgium, 23 Apr 2013.
Herbrand, C. “Preventing mitochondrial disorders through nuclear transfer techniques: social and ethical issues”, paper presented at the interdisciplinary workshop on “Genetic Transparency” (18-23 March), Lübeck, Germany, 20 Mar 2013.
Herbrand, C. “La pluriparentalité dans le contexte belge”, invited speaker at the conference “Les nouvelles familles” organised by the APGL and the CNAFAL, Lille, France, 5 Mar 2013.
Herbrand, C. “A step further: questioning kinship and reproductive choice in the perspective of the new nuclear transfer techniques for mitochondrial disorders”, conference on “Selective reproductive technologies”, Copenhagen, Denmark, 14 Dec 2012.
Herbrand, C. “Family relationships in gay father families”, presented at the workshop “We are Family? Perceptions of relatedness in assisted conception families”, Geneva, Switzerland, 15 Nov 2012.
Herbrand, C. “Between open-identity, anonymity, and disclosure in gamete and embryo donations: a comparative analysis of the UK and Belgian policies”, presented at the ESF Exploratory Workshop on “New Perspectives on Gamete and Embryo Donation: Ethics, Kinship and Citizenship in a Globalised World”, Colchester, UK, 11 Sep 2012.
Herbrand, C. « La régulation des nouvelles formes de parenté en Belgique : enjeux éthiques et questions en suspens », presented at the conference « Genre et éthique », Institut Emilie du Châtelet, Paris, France, 8 Jun 2012.
Herbrand, C. “The Gay and Lesbian Coparenting Projects: Between Changes and Continuities”, Center for Family Research Seminar, University of Cambridge, UK, 20 Feb 2012.
Herbrand, C. "Gender relationships and kinship representations within gay and lesbian coparenting projects”, presented at the Annual Congress of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), Montréal, Canada, 19 Nov 2011.
Herbrand, C. « La procréation médicalement assistée en Belgique : reflet de la diversité familiale ? », presented at the conference « Nouvelles techniques de reproduction, genre et parenté », Lyon, France, 15 Nov 2011.
Herbrand, C. “Biology and Gender Representations in Alternative Families: the Case of Lesbian and Gay Coparenting Projects”, invited speaker at the Bios Seminar, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK, 9 Jun 2011.
Herbrand, C. « How trying to conform to some “traditional” parental norms can create new family patterns: the case of lesbian and gay “co-parenting” », presented at the annual Congress of the British Sociological Association (BSA), London, UK, 8 Apr 2011.

Consultancy work

Member of the Belgian Advisory Committee on Bioethics (2014-2018)
Gender Advisor and Programme Coordinator for the Gender Equality Chart Trial of the Social Science, Health and Medicine Department at King’s College London
Expert for the Belgian Committee of the Children’s Rights (Service du Délégué général aux droits de l'enfant).

Current research students

Sophia McCully ‘The commercialisation of infertility: exploring patient experiences of fertility treatment add-ons and restricted reproductive liberties’. Self-funded PhD (Oct 2022-2029): first supervisor.
Sally Butcher ‘(In) fertile Embodiment: an affective exploration of the dis-eased female in sub-maternal creative care’. Midlands4Cities AHRC Doctoral Studentship, (Oct 2022-2026): third supervisor.
Kate Pleace ‘Homeless in their healthcare, women’s lived experiences of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency?’. Self-funded PhD (Jan 2022-2028): second supervisor.
Sitira Williams: The lived experiences of transgender and gender-expansive youth (TGEY) transitioning and parental dynamics across the UK: An Intersectionality Approach’ (Oct 2019-2022): second supervisor.
Sumaira Rahid: Infertility experiences and treatments in Pakistan (Jan 2018-2022): second supervisor.

Completed:

- Sasha Loyal: Exploring perceptions of reproductive timing within British South Asian communities. 51吃瓜app High Flyer scholarship (2016-2021): second supervisor
- Kriss Fearon: Reproductive decision-making, parenthood and the use of assisted conception: an exploratory study of the perceptions and experiences of women with Turner Syndrome. 51吃瓜app Full Bursary Scholarship (2015-2020): first supervisor
- Paris Connolly: Exploring women's and men's lived experiences and perspectives of Female Genital Cutting in the UK. 51吃瓜app High Flyer scholarship (2015-Sept 2019): second supervisor

Externally funded research grants information

Reproduction in the age of genomic medicine: the emergence, commercialisation and implications of preconception expanded carrier screening. ESRC Research Grant, Herbrand C. (PI), Hudson N. (CI), Borry P. (CI), Parry B. (CI), Miedzybrodzka Z. (CI). £595,322 (FEC) (Feb 2022-Jan 2025).
Developing future research agendas on the socioethical impact of genomics through interdisciplinary live data-sharing. Wellcome Trust Small Grant. Boardman F. (PI), Farsides B. (CI), O’Neill (CI), Hallowell N. (CI), Herbrand C. (CI), Sen A. (CI), Sep 2020-Aug 2022.
Global Fertility Chains: A new political economy of cross-border reproduction. Wellcome Trust Small Grant. Parry B. (PI), Vertommen S. (CI), Nahman M. (CI), Herbrand C. (CI), Oct 2018-Sep 2019.
Understanding Klinefelter Syndrome: genetics, gender and reproduction. Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness Grant Development Award. Hanna E. (PI), Hudson N., McEleny, Stevenson E., Quinton R., Wilkes S., Herbrand C. (CI), Jan-Aug 2018.
MITOSOC: The Sociology of mitochondrial disorders and new reprogenetic technologies, Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness Symposium/Workshop Support Grant, Herbrand C. (PI), Dimond R. (CI). Symposium in London on 4-5 May 2017.
Egg donation in the UK, Belgium and Spain: an interdisciplinary study, ESRC Research Grant, Hudson N. (PI), Culley L., Herbrand C. (CI), Pennings G., Pavone V. £494.000 (March 2017 - Feb 2020).
Postponing childbirth, extending fertility: biotechnologies and the transformations of reproductive life. Wellcome Trust Society & Ethics Small Grant Award. Hudson, N. (PI), Baldwin K., Buhler N., Culley L., Daly I., Herbrand C. (CI), Law C. April – Oct 2016.
Collaborative development of a multi-disciplinary research council funding application on the experience and ethics of egg donation. Sociology of Health and Illness Foundation Research Grant Development Award. Hudson N. (PI), Culley L., Herbrand C. (CI), Pennings G., Pavone V. October 2014 – May 2015.

Internally funded research project information

Selling hope? Investigating the UK IVF industry and the case of fertility treatment “add-ons”. Funding awarded for 3-year PhD Scholarship, De 51吃瓜app University. Hudson N. (1st supervisor), Herbrand C. (2^nd supervisor), Baldwin K. (Oct 2017-2020).
51吃瓜app Future Research Leaders Programme (Jan 2015-Dec 2015): monthly training sessions, 1-2-1 coaching and internship with prof. Rayna Rapp at New York University (Nov 2015).
Exploring perceptions of reproductive timing within British South Asian communities: A qualitative study. Funding awarded for 3 year High Flyer PhD Scholarship, De 51吃瓜app University. Daly I. (1st supervisor), Hudson N., Herbrand C. (October 2016 – 2019).
Reproductive decision-making, parenthood and the use of assisted conception amongst women with Turner Syndrome: an exploratory study. Funding awarded for 3 year PhD Scholarship, De 51吃瓜app University. Herbrand C. (1st supervisor), Hudson N., Daly I. (October 2015 – 2018).
Egg Donation in Europe: an international workshop. De 51吃瓜app University Revolving Investment Fund. Hudson N. (PI), Culley L., Herbrand C. (CI) (£4505. August 2014-July 2015).
De 51吃瓜app University Early Career Research Fellowship, Funding awarded for 2 years (Nov 2013-Nov 2015).

Professional esteem indicators

Member of the Editorial Board. Sociology (2022-25)

Reviewer for Funding organisations: Wellcome Trust, ESRC, Research Foundation Flanders

Reviewer for journals: Theory, Culture and Society; BioSocieties; Human Reproduction; Monash Bioethics; New Genetics and Society; Human Fertility; Reproductive Biomedicine Online; Medical History; Enfances, Familles et Générations, Sociologies.

Publications

Co-edited volume of a journal:

Baldwin K., Buhler N., Daly I., Herbrand C., Hudson N. (eds), (2019), ‘Innovating Reproduction Research: approaches, methods and reflexive moments’, Methodological Innovations (1-4). URL:

Courduriès J., Herbrand C. (eds) (2014) ‘Parenté et techniques de reproduction assistée: les enjeux contemporains au regard du genre’ Enfances, Familles et Générations, 21.

Berliner D., Herbrand C. (eds) (2010) 'Sexualités : apprentissage et performance' Civilisations. Revue internationale d’anthropologie et de sciences humaines, vol. 59 (1).

Articles and book chapters (refereed):

Herbrand C. (2023) ‘Reproductive decisions and mitochondrial disease: risk, disruption and uncertainty’, in Bowman Diana M., Johnson Walter G., and Ludlow Karinne, Reproduction Reborn: How Science, Ethics and Law Shape Mitochondrial Replacement Therapies, Oxford University Press.

Herbrand C. (accepted) ‘Silences, omissions, and oversimplifications? The UK debate on mitochondrial donation’, Reproductive Biomedicine & Society Online.

Bühler N., Herbrand C. (2020) ‘Powering life through MitoTechnologies: Exploring the bio-objectification of mitochondria in reproduction’, BioSocieties.

Hudson N., Culley L., Herbrand C., Pavone V., Pennings G., Provoost V., Coveney C., Lafuente S. (2020) ‘Reframing egg donation in Europe: new regulatory challenges for a shifting landscape’, Health Policy and Technology, 9(3): 308-313.

Hanna E. S., Cheetham T., Fearon K., Herbrand C., Hudson N., McEleny K., Quinton R., Stevenson E., Wilkes S. (2019) ‘The lived experience of Klinefelter syndrome: A narrative review of the literature’, Journal: Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10(825).

Herbrand C., Hudson N. (2019) ‘Removing anonymity for egg and sperm donors? (Re-)Igniting the debate in Belgium’ in Merchant J. (ed.), Access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies. The Case of France and Belgium, Oxford, Berghahn, 87-103.

Herbrand C. (2018) ‘Ideals, negotiations and gender roles in gay and lesbian co-parenting arrangements’ Anthropology and Medicine, 25 (3): 311-228.

Herbrand C., Dimond R. (2018) ‘Mitochondrial donation, patient engagement and narratives of hope’ Sociology of Health and Illness, 1-16. Early Access online: .

Herbrand C. (2017) ‘Mitochondrial replacement techniques: who are the potential users and will they benefit?’ Bioethics, 31 (1): 46-54.

Herbrand C. (2017) ‘Co-parenting arrangements in lesbian and gay families: when the ‘mum and dad’ ideal generates innovative family forms’ Families, Relationships and Societies, 1-18. DOI: .

Kerasidou A., Herbrand C., Dreyer M. (2016) ‘Who is the subject of genetic responsibility?’, in Dreyer M., Erdmann J. and C. Rehmann-Sutter (eds.), Genetic Transparency? Ethical and social implications of next generation human genomics and genetic medicine, Brill, 81-112.

Hudson N., Herbrand C. (2015) ‘Information sharing in donor conception: comparing regulations, ethics and cultural practices in the UK and Belgium’ Journal of Medical Law and Ethics, 3 (3): 175-192.

Herbrand C. (2015) ‘Comprendre le besoin de reconnaissance légale en matière de pluriparentalité : pistes de réflexion à partir des coparentalités gaies et lesbiennes’ Canadian Journal of Women and the Law/Revue Femmes et Droit, 27(1): 71-93.

Courduriès J., Herbrand C. (2014) ‘Gender, kinship and assisted reproductive technologies: future directions after 30 years of research’ Enfances, Familles et Générations, 21: 1-27.

Herbrand C. (2014) ‘Nuclear Transfer Techniques for mitochondrial disorders: How to conceptualise them ethically with respect to the germ-line therapies?’ Law and the Human Genome Review, special issue 2014: 243-249.

Smietana M., Jennings S., Herbrand C., Golombok S. (2014) ‘Family relationships in gay father families with young children in Belgium, Spain and the UK’, in Freeman T., Graham S., Ebtehaj F., Richards M. (eds.), Relatedness in Assisted Reproduction: families, origins, identities, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 192-211.

Gallus N., Herbrand C. (2014) ‘La parentalité sous l’angle du droit et de la sociologie : évolutions, enjeux et régulation’, in J. Sosson (ed.), Filiation, origines, parentalité, Brussels, Larcier – Bruylant, 313-346.

Herbrand C. (2014) ‘Les rendre grands-parents : l’enjeu des relations intergénérationnelles au sein des coparentalités gaies et lesbiennes’ in Courduriès J., Fine A. (eds.), Homosexualité et parenté, Armand Colin, 175-188.

Herbrand C. (2012) ‘La filiation à l’épreuve de la présomption de « paternité » pour les couples de même sexe : questionnements et perspectives à partir du cas belge’, Droit et Société, 82 : 689-712.

Herbrand C. (2012) ‘La loi sur la procréation médicalement assistée en Belgique : reflet de la diversité familiale ?’ in Gallus N. (ed.), Le droit des familles : genre et sexualité, Bruxelles, Anthemis, 321-337.

Herbrand C. (2011) ‘L’impasse de la pluriparentalité au niveau légal : analyse du projet de “parenté sociale” en Belgique’ Enfances, Familles et Générations, 14: 26-50.

Herbrand C. (2011) ‘La filiation monosexuée en Belgique et au Québec : jeux et enjeux de parcours législatifs distincts’ in Corriveau P., Daoust V. (eds.), La régulation sociale des « minorités sexuelles », Québec, Presses de l’Université du Québec, 105-134.

Berliner D., Herbrand C. (2010) ‘Pragmatiques et médiations sexuelles’, Civilisations. Revue internationale d’anthropologie et de sciences humaines, 59 (1) : 11–20.

Herbrand C., Paternotte D. (2010) ‘Vers la fin de l'opposition homosexualité/hétérosexualité en droit familial belge ?’Bulletin d’histoire politique, 18 (2): 139-152.

Herbrand C. (2009) ‘Déclinaisons du désir d’enfant dans les coparentalités homosexuelles’ Revue des Sciences Sociales, 41: 38-49.

Paternotte D., Herbrand C. (2009) ‘L’hétérosexualité au miroir des évolutions contemporaines du couple et de la famille’ in Deschamps C., Gaissad L., Taraud C. (eds.), Hétéros, Paris, Epel, 155-165.

Herbrand C. (2008) ‘Belgique. Les mutations du mariage et de la parenté’ in Descoutures V., Digoix M., Fassin E., Rault W. (eds.), Mariages et homosexualités dans le monde. L’arrangement des normes familiales, Paris, Autrement, 32-42.

Herbrand C. (2008) ‘Le concept de “risque” dans le cadre des expérimentations pharmacologiques’ in Cartuyvels Y. (eds.), Les ambivalences du risque. Regards croisés en sciences sociales, Brussels, Facultés universitaires Saint-Louis, 281-295.

Herbrand C. (2007) ‘Les sciences sociales à l’épreuve de l’homoparentalité’ Cultures et Sociétés, 3: 36-40.

Herbrand C. (2007) ‘Corps et expérimentations pharmacologiques’ Illusio. Revue de l’Université de Caen-Basse-Normandie, 4: 331-347.

Herbrand C. (2007) ‘La parenté sociale : une réponse à la diversité familiale ?’ in Casman M.-T., Simays C., Bulckens R., Mortelmans D. (eds.), Familles plurielles. Politique familiale sur mesure?, Brussels, Editions Luc Pire, 183-189.

Herbrand C., Paternotte D. (2007) ‘L’ouverture du mariage et de l’adoption aux couples de même sexe : dernière étape des politiques « homosexuelles » ?’ L’Année Sociale, special issue 2006: 47-62.

Herbrand C. (2006) ‘L’adoption par les couples de même sexe’ Courrier hebdomadaire du CRISP, 1911-1912: 1-72.

Papers, reviews and commentaries (non-refereed):

Herbrand C. (24 May 2018) ‘Submission 54. Inquiry into the Science of mitochondrial donation and related matters’ Community Affairs References Committee, Senate, Australia. URL:

Herbrand C. (22 January 2018) ‘Revolutionising reproduction: setting a new moral compass’ BioNews 934. URL: .

Dimond R., Herbrand C. (12 June 2017) ‘Event Review: Exploring the sociology of mitochondrial donation’ BioNews 904. URL: .

Herbrand C. (19 Dec 2016) ‘The Warnock report and the 14-day rule’, BioNews 882. URL: .

Herbrand C. (11 Jan 2016) ‘Three-person IVF: What makes mitochondrial donation different?’, BioNews 834. URL:

Herbrand C. (22 Sep 2014) ‘Radio Review: Mum and Dad and Mum’, BioNews 772. URL:

Herbrand C. (2007) ‘Qu’en est-il de l’adoption par des couples homosexuels ?’, Journal du Droit des Jeunes. Revue d’action juridique et sociale, Bruxelles, p. 31-33.

Herbrand C., Paternotte D. (2006) ‘Couples et familles homosexuelles. Aspirations contemporaines’, Espace de Libertés, Bruxelles, Centre d’Action Laïque, 341, p. 12-13.

Dewaele A., Herbrand C., Paternotte D. (2006) ‘Etudes gayes et lesbiennes/holebi-studies : Etat des savoirs critique et regards croisés entre la Flandre et la Communauté française de Belgique’ in Sophia, Genderstudies/een genre apart? Savoir de genre/quel genre de savoir? Conference proceedings, Annual conference of the Sophia network (2005), Brussels, 154-171.

Research reports :

- 2017 ‘Legal and sociological analysis of the French context considering foreign practices related to the filiation of children conceived through surrogacy abroad (united-Kingdom, Belgium, Israel)’. Research report coordinated by K. Parizer for Mission de Recherche Droit & Justice.

- 2004 ‘Le métro Bruxellois : Rapport général. Processus d’écoute des citoyens concernant l’insécurité’. Research report for the Fondation Roi Baudouin, Bruxelles, Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis, Centres d’études sociologiques, 36 p.

- 2004 (with G. Stangherlin) ‘La gare du Nord : Rapport général. Processus d’écoute des citoyens concernant l’insécurité’. Research report for the Fondation Roi Baudouin, Bruxelles, Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis, Centres d’études sociologiques, 39 p.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Engagement

Lead of the Decolonising Reproduction agenda for the Centre for Reproduction Research. 2021-present

Lead of the Athena SWAN submission for the School of Applied Social Sciences. Bronze Award (pril 2022). 2019-present
School of Applied Social Sciences’ representative on the HLS Faculty EDI committee. 2022-present
Joint coordinator of the Faculty ‘Women In Science, Society and Health’ Network. 2017-18
Joint co-ordinator of the cross-faculty 51吃瓜app Gender Network. 2017
Coordinator of the Gender Equality Charter Mark (GEM) for the SSHM Department at King’s College London. Bronze Award. 2013 – 2014

PhD examinations

Anaïs Martin ‘La parenté d'après le don : une approche relationnelle du vécu des personnes conçues par don de sperme (France, Angleterre)’. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), France (external examiner). 12 Jul 2022
Gemma Ryan ‘Online social networks and the pre-registration student nurse: a focus on professional accountability’. De 51吃瓜app University, UK (internal examiner). 29 Jan 2018
Lisa Cherkassky ‘Preimplantation genetic diagnosis and the saviour sibling in law: a theoretical critical appraisal’. University of Derby, UK (external examiner). 26 Oct 2016
Katrien De Graeve ‘Making families. Parenting and belonging in transnational adoption in Flanders’. University of Gent, Belgium (external examiner). 4 May 2012