Heather Swadley, Ph.D., J.D.

Senior Legal Analyst

Heather Swadley is a Senior Legal Analyst at the Center for Global Health Science and Security. She has experience in a variety of professional roles focused on the intersections between law, public policy, and health, including work for non-profit organizations, government agencies, and legislative bodies. Most recently, Heather worked as an Assistant Professor of Political Science, studying the intersections between law, health policy, and community integration for people with disabilities. Her current research at the Center is focused on understanding state and federal laws and regulations governing patient movement and care in emergency and non-emergency situations in an effort to identify areas of conflict, as well as where additional legal authority may be necessary. 

Swadley holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Temple Beasley School of Law, where she was Lead Articles Editor for Temple Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. Her scholarly work has been featured in the Journal of Women, Politics & Policy, Nebraska Law Review, the UCLA Disability Law Journal, and Oklahoma Law Review, among others. She is licensed to practice law in DC.