Dr Joyce El-Haddad is a Senior Lecturer in Anatomy and Histology in the Faculty of Medicine & Health at UNSW Sydney. She teaches across medicine, medical science, science and allied health programs and is recognised for her clinically integrated, visually rich approach to anatomy education. Her teaching incorporates live schematic drawing, medical illustration, digital resources and applied clinical examples to support students in understanding and communicating complex anatomical concepts.

Dr El-Haddad has held significant educational leadership roles at UNSW, including Course Convenor for Visceral Anatomy and Histology and Chair and Convenor of the Phase 3 Biomedical Sciences Viva Examinations within the UNSW Medicine Program. Her work includes curriculum development, assessment design, examiner calibration, teaching-team coordination and quality assurance across multiple courses and clinical campuses. She is particularly interested in inclusive, trauma-informed and ethically responsible approaches to anatomy education.

Her contributions to teaching and the student experience have been recognised through several awards, including the UNSW Faculty of Medicine & Health Award for Teaching Excellence, the UNSW Medical Students’ Society Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching and the School of Biomedical Sciences Award for Contribution to the Student Experience. She was also a member of the Macquarie University Human Anatomy Team that received a Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Programs that Enhance Learning.

Dr El-Haddad holds a PhD in Medical Ethics from the University of Queensland. Her research spans ethical anatomy, medical ethics, anatomy education, clinical and surgical anatomy, and digital learning. Her principal area of expertise is the ethical governance of human anatomical materials, with a particular focus on human fetal and embryological collections, informed consent, body donation, commemoration and the stewardship of historical and legacy collections. Her doctoral research developed a multilevel framework for examining ethical responsibilities across individuals, institutions, communities and time.

Her research has contributed to national and international discussions concerning the ethical use of human remains and anatomical collections. She has provided invited input to the Australian Law Reform Commission and contributes to the Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists Skeletal Donations Working Group. She also serves on the UNSW Human Research Ethics Advisory Panel as a specialist reviewer for education-focused and scholarship of teaching and learning research.

Dr El-Haddad’s anatomy education research examines visual learning, digital anatomy resources, assessment, curriculum design and the responsible integration of emerging technologies into health professions education. She is an Anatomy Consultant for the Anatomy Unlocked digital education platform, collaborating with anatomists, clinicians and technology developers to support the anatomical accuracy, clinical relevance and educational design of digital learning resources.

Her clinical anatomy research includes projects examining colorectal and lymphatic anatomy, pancreatic imaging, anatomical variation, abdominal wall anatomy and surgical education. She has authored work on the anatomy of the rectum and anal canal and contributes peer-reviewed anatomical illustrations to Radiopaedia and other medical education publications.

Dr El-Haddad is committed to developing students as emerging researchers. Through the El-Haddad Lab, she supervises Honours and independent research projects across medical ethics, clinical anatomy and anatomy education. Current and recent student projects include Bosco Choi’s research into Australian attitudes towards medical tourism; Esther Samuel’s examination of shared decision-making in orthopaedic surgery; Christopher Chong’s systematic review of informed consent in orthopaedic surgery; Sabina De Leon’s investigation of rectal lymphatic drainage and cancer outcomes; Zac De Boeck’s imaging-based analysis of pancreatic anatomy; Gus Heesh’s research into the inclusion of intersex people in medical and health education; Ryan Jeong’s study of cultural attitudes towards body and organ donation; and Rachel Lawrence’s evaluation of ultrasound in anatomy education.

Alongside her teaching and research, Dr El-Haddad contributes to academic governance, professional service and public engagement. She is a peer reviewer for Anatomical Sciences Education, a member of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists organising committee and an Associate of the Australian Human Rights Institute at UNSW. Through her educational platform, @orientatewithdrjoyce, she translates anatomy and health information into accessible, evidence-informed content for students, health professionals and the broader community.