Participating in the IPOV project is quite relevant for me, on a personal basis, because I was one of the first researchers in exploring obstetric violence as a problem that deserved academic attention. It was very difficult for me because (that was more than 12 years ago) the problem of obstetric violence was not being taking seriously by academic or healthcare institutions. This project comes as a validation of many years of work. I had to face many obstacles and resistance, but finally, receiving this grant demonstrates that our work is serious, important and necessary.
Expectations regarding their contribution to the project:
l hope to contribute in different ways, not only by writing reports and papers, presenting the results of our research, but also in enganging with broader audiences and facilitating the translation from academic results into actual policy interventions to improve the quality of life of pregnant women around the world.
Key Research Areas:
Bioethics, medical ethics, philosophy of Medicine, obstetric violence, reproductive rigths, religious fundamentalism, global health justice.
Significant contributions to the scientific community:
I have a diverse interdisciplinary experience, both in and outside academia. Besides my expertise in bioethics, I am also a healthcare professional and a cultural studies scholar. I have worked in many different settings as part of my professional trajectory, that includes not only healthcare settings, but also public policy design, technical advice-giving to State agents and international inter-governmental institutions. I am part of several research networks in the field of Bioethics, Biolaw and global health ethics, such as the Independent Resource Group on Global Health Justice, that have collaborated with international organizations (such as WHO) and academic institutions (such as the King’s College London, Oxford University and others) in engendering ethical guidelines, critical thinking and solution-seeking frameworks to the current COVID19 pandemic.
Objectives expected to achieve during the secondment period(s):
My main objective is to contribute to the development of a more robust theoretical framework that explains obstetric violence. I have been working in the concept of obstetric power/knowledge. During the secondement I hope to expand this concept and test its explanatory power in dialogue with empirical data and other theoretical frameworks such as reproductive justice and human rigths.
Motivation to participate in the Horizon Europe project:
I think this is an extraordinary opportunity for me, as a Central American scholar. It is extremely difficult for women researchers in Central America to have access to international networks and financing. I'm thrilled to be working with colleagues coming from many different backgrounds and countries, learning and exchanging data, knowledge and methodological approaches.
Expectations regarding their contribution to the project:
l hope to contribute in different ways, not only by writing reports and papers, presenting the results of our research, but also in enganging with broader audiences and facilitating the translation from academic results into actual policy interventions to improve the quality of life of pregnant women around the world.