As a medical anthropologist and PhD candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Montréal, I conduct research on various sociocultural and ethical aspects of care and aging.
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I studied at the University of French Polynesia, specializing in Polynesian studies, before focusing my work on the (post-)pandemic socio-sanitary context. Through my doctoral research, I am conducting an ethnography of long-term care institutions (CHSLD) in Québec, exploring the lived experiences of residents, healthcare professionals, and family caregivers. More specifically, my work examines the organizational, relational, and ethical issues shaping care and end-of-life dynamics and practices.
Visit the Research section to learn more.
This research is supported by a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Doctoral Fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of the Government of Canada (BESC D - SSHRC), and an Alma Mater Scholarship for Research Excellence from the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies of the University of Montreal. I was also awarded a Master's to PhD Fast Track Scholarship and an Award of Excellence on COVID-19 and its Impacts to pursue this project.
My research interests include aging, long-term care, end of life, ethics, health inequalities and discriminations, care structures, places of care, and pandemics and health crises.
I invite you to explore the Publications section to read one of my articles on the ethical issues surrounding pandemic decision-making practices related to medical resource allocation and the treatment of older adults, both in healthcare settings and at the societal level (Lajeunesse, 2022).
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Research and Teaching
I joined the Marguerite-d’Youville Research Chair on Humanistic Nursing Interventions (University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre - CRCHUM) in 2023 as a research professional for the Inter-Aging+ applied and techno-social innovation project.
In collaboration with an interdisciplinary, interfaculty team and clinical and community partners, we are developing digital educational content to enhance the initial and ongoing training of health and social services professionals on aging. This project aims to improve care for older adults and better support family caregivers in Quebec.
Since 2021, I have been a guest lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Montreal, where I teach and lead various seminars in the graduate and undergraduate programs.
Anthropology, Society, and Health: The Clinic as Social Space.
Anthropology of Ethics: Ethics of Care and Feminist Approaches.
Ethnology Seminar: Fieldwork Practices.
Stay updated on my latest presentations and conferences by visiting the News section.
I offer consultancy, training and mentoring services in the fields of qualitative and ethnographic methods, and sociocultural and health anthropology. For a conference proposal or potential collaboration, please see the Contact section.
In parallel with my research, I have studied palliative and end-of-life care experiences in pediatric and geriatric settings as part of the End-of-life Experiences in a Plural Montreal project (University of Montreal).
Visit the Publications section to read our article on the testimonies collected during this study with parents who accompanied their child through serious illness (Fortin et al., 2023).
Using an ethnographic approach, I have also explored the rehabilitation experiences of adults with occupational injuries as part of the Exploratory Study of Injured Workers' Care Experiences in Physiotherapy (Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal - CRIR).
At the Sainte-Justine University Hospital, Canada's leading mother-and-child centre, I have participated in research on pediatric psychosocial development within the i-Care Longitudinal Study (Interuniversity Research Group on Psychosocial Maladjustment in Children - GRIP).
Throughout my academic journey, I have also worked as a research assistant at UdeM’s School of Kinesiology, a teaching assistant at the School of Social Work, and a college tutor in medical anthropology, gaining valuable experience in research, teaching, and mentorship.
Service and Commitments
Over the past few years, I have held various positions within the University of Montreal community, including at the Student Services Office, Communications and Public Relations Office, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Faculty of Music, and Cultural Activities Office. I have served as a mentor for the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program and the University of Montreal Student Mentorship Program. Committed to addressing ageism and socio-sanitary inequalities, I have volunteered as a caregiver, supporting isolated and marginalized older adults through the Volunteer Action Center des Moulins.
On a more personal note, I proudly advocate for neuro-inclusivity and mental health awareness, within academia and beyond.
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