Role
Dr Azhin Omer is a Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Law School and is the International Law LLB (Hons) Deputy Course Leader.
She currently leads the LLM modules Legal Structure of Health Law and Beginning and Ending of Life, as well as the LLB Distance Learning module Medical Law. In addition, she teaches undergraduate modules including Medical Law, Tort Law, and Legal Reasoning. Her previous teaching experience includes Public Law, The English Legal System, EU Law , Legal Method, and Contract Law.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr Azhin serves as a Personal and Academic Tutor and supervises PhD theses, LLM dissertations, and LLB Independent Research Projects (IRPs). She also holds key pastoral and administrative roles within Nottingham Law School, including International Exchange Coordinator, LLB International Student Support Tutor, and Disability Tutor.
Career overview
Azhin joined Nottingham Law School in October 2014 and has previously taught undergraduate modules at University of Lincoln. She has also previously acted as a member of the organizing team of NTU Early Career Researchers Forum; Nottingham Law School Research Committee; and NTU College Research Degrees Committee (CRDC).
Research areas
Her recent book, Strengthening Health System Governance in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, was published by the world-renowned academic publisher Palgrave Macmillan (Scopus-indexed). Co-authored with Dr Austen Garwood-Gowers, the book offers a nuanced and in-depth analysis of healthcare provision and health systems governance in the region.
Dr Azhin is also a member of research centres / groups of Nottingham Law School, including Centre for Rights and Justice and Health Law Research Group.
External activity
To enhance the impact of her research, Azhin is actively collaborating with health policymakers in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. She has recently been appointed to the Kurdistan Ministry of Health Committee, contributing her expertise to inform healthcare policy and governance.
Azhin has also engaged in international dialogue, previously serving as a moderator in a UK Parliament (House of Commons) debate focused on strengthening British–Kurdish relations, with particular emphasis on advancing cooperation in the medical sector. In March 2020, she participated as a panellist in a debate exploring the role of women in governance across Middle Eastern countries.
Sponsors and collaborators
Dr Azhin is a member of European Association of Health Law (EAHL); Society of Legal Scholars (SLS); Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA); and Higher Education Academy (HEA).
Collaborating with Professor Jane Ching from Nottingham Law School, we have secured external research funding from the Society of Legal Scholars to advance our project exploring the motivation and experiences of international law students.
She is also collaborating with the health policy makers of Kurdistan Semi-autonomous Region in Iraq, Members of Kurdistan Parliament Health Standing Committee, and the academics from Erbil Medical University.
Publications
Omer A., Garwood-Gowers A., (2025) Strengthening Health System Governance in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Palgrave MacMillan: London, pp1-130. ISBN:9789819638970
Ching, J., Omer, A., (2023) Motivations and Experiences of International Law Students, Nottingham Law School [Dissemination Workshop Sponsored by the Society of Legal Scholars].
Omer, A., Garwood-Gowers, A. (2022) Reforming Health System Governance in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq (KRI) in the wake of the pandemic, 30 Nottingham L.J. 124
Omer, A. (2022) LLB international Student Support: What is the impact of the transition to online teaching and learning. Legal Education Conference at Nottingham Law School [Research Poster].
Omer, A. (2021) Health System Governance: presenting a visual process map of casual links between Covid-19 policies as input indicators and health service outcomes of Kurdistan Region in Iraq. Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, Durham University, United Kingdom.
Omer, A. (2018). ‘A critical analysis of patient safety Strategies in Kurdistan Region in Iraq’ in Global Patient Safety: Law, Policy, and Practice. Routledge: New York, pp223-234. ISBN: 978-1-13805278-9
Keynote speaker: Omer A., (2018) "Kurdistan Genocide should not be ignored" Erbil, Kurdistan Region in Iraq
Omer A., Wheat K., Fattah A., (2018) “Uncovering PTSD Symptoms: What is the Psychological Impact of Genocide on the Survivors and How this been Dealt with by Healthcare Provision in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)?” Erbil, Kurdistan Region in Iraq
Omer, A. (2016). ‘Developing governance to foster healthcare quality in Kurdistan Semi-autonomous region of North-Iraq’ Paper presented at Nottingham Law School Research Conference, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Omer, A. (2015). ‘Cross border healthcare, medical errors and liabilities: How effective is the EU Cross Border Directive?’ Paper presented at the European Association of Health Law Conference, Czech Republic.
Omer, A. (2014). Developing an ideal model of patient safety for Kurdistan region of North Iraq’ Paper presented at East Midlands University Conference, Leister, United Kingdom.
Omer, A. (2014). ‘Conceptualising a frame-work of patient safety for public hospitals in Kurdistan region of Iraq.’ Paper presented at Nottingham Law School Annual Research Conference, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Press expertise
- Medical Negligence System
- Medical Ethics
- Professional Medical Regulatory Authorities
- Strategies for improving the quality of healthcare in the Middle East
- Impact of political instabilities on healthcare system in the Middle East.
- Experiences of International Law Students