Scientific Report · Gabriela Arguedas

1. General Participant Information

  • Full name: Gabriela Arguedas Ramírez
  • Home institution: University of Costa Rica (UCR)
  • Country of origin: Costa Rica
  • Host institution: INED
  • Host country: France
  • Dates of the stay: 11 August – 10 October

2. Knowledge and Skills Transfer

Specialised knowledge or skills contributed to the host institution
My main contribution was my conceptual proposal and my experience in critical discourse analysis, which enabled me to identify key elements in the dominant narratives opposing the concept of obstetric violence.

New competencies or skills acquired during the stay
I learned how different methodologies are used to identify and analyse maternal mortality cases. I also gained a deeper understanding of the tensions and possibilities for integrating various trends within demographic analysis in particular and statistical analysis in general.

3. Intercultural Exchange

Cultural differences encountered in working and collaborating
I did not encounter cultural differences that affected my work or adaptation. The only difference, which was administrative rather than cultural, was that in August most people are on holiday, which affected my ability to contact researchers I wished to speak with regarding project-related topics.

Influence of the intercultural exchange on understanding project topics
My stay in Paris reinforced my position that, although the issues addressed in the project may display contextual nuances, they are fundamentally similar across countries. The problems we investigate transcend cultural differences, and there are far more similarities between countries and cultures than is usually acknowledged.

4. International Collaborations

Contribution of the stay to new networks or strengthened collaborations
The stay allowed me to meet colleagues from different fields and engage in productive conversations about our research interests. Importantly, it also helped strengthen collaboration among researchers within the IPOV project. For instance, Virginie and I, along with another colleague, are exploring the possibility of conducting a systematic literature review—an initiative that would not have been possible without this stay.

Future collaboration opportunities between home and host institutions
INED is a highly dynamic institution with a wide range of opportunities for collaboration. UCR could benefit from postgraduate student exchange programmes in demography, sociology and anthropology. INED’s experience with interdisciplinary work is an excellent model that UCR could replicate.

5. Impact on the IPOV RESPECTFUL CARE Project

Contribution to the project’s advancement
The project benefits from meeting the objectives we have set. More specifically, my stay at INED opened an unanticipated avenue—both for me and for the project—to engage in analytical and conceptual work aimed at developing a logical and critical counter-argumentation against positions opposing the concept of obstetric violence, grounded in robust philosophical reasoning.

Specific results with potential significant impact on the project
See the previous response.

6. Professional Development

Influence of the experience on professional growth
The stay was highly beneficial. It motivated me to continue learning French (my level is basic), and it helped me understand in greater depth why certain epistemic prejudices against the social sciences persist. This understanding is essential for future research projects I intend to develop.

New professional opportunities resulting from the programme
I established contacts with a research institute in Toulouse, and there is a possibility that I will be invited to give a lecture there next year.

7. Challenges and Opportunities

Main challenges faced and how they were overcome
The main challenges were administrative: there were issues processing bank transfers. With the kind assistance of Marie-Laure, the programme’s administrative coordinator at INED, we were able to resolve the problems.

Unexpected opportunities and how they were utilised
I had the opportunity to attend the Women’s Health Conference at the University of Paris. The registration fee was covered with project funds.

8. Innovations and Best Practices

Innovations or good practices observed at the host institution
A notable good practice is the active calendar of research progress presentations maintained by the programme coordinated by Virginie. I consider this very valuable.

Plans to apply these innovations at the home institution
See the previous response.

9. Long-Term Perspective

Contribution of the stay to future projects or initiatives
We plan to carry out the systematic literature review, and we have already begun organising the corresponding work with Virginie Rozée.

Contribution to long-term goals within the HORIZON-MSCA-2022-Staff Exchange project
My participation has been an incentive to continue my research work, broadening my focus to themes related to obstetric violence from a wider philosophical perspective.

10. Additional Comments

Participant did not add additional information here.

11. Additional Contributions

This section may be used freely for any further reflections, comments or suggestions not covered above.