As a medical anthropologist and PhD candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Montreal, I conduct research on sociocultural and ethical aspects of care— particularly long-term and palliative 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 (CHSLDs and MDAs) in Québec, exploring the lived experiences of older residents, healthcare professionals, and family caregivers. More specifically, my work examines the ethical, organizational, and relational issues that shape the dynamics, practices and moralities of care between life and the end of life.
Visit my Faculty profile or 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 Canada (BESC D - SSHRC), the Blanchard Family Chair in Palliative Care Teaching and Research, as well as the Alma Mater and J.A. DeSève Research Excellence Scholarships. 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 also include medical pluralism, medical assistance in dying, decision-making processes, health inequalities, and healthcare institutions and organizational structures.
I invite you to explore the Publications & Presentations section
to listen to one of my talks on healthcare providers' moral distress in conflicted end-of-life situations in long-term care (Lajeunesse, 2026). You will also find one of my articles on the ethical issues raised by pandemic decision-making practices related to the allocation of medical resources and the treatment of older adults, both in healthcare settings and at the societal level (Lajeunesse, 2022).
Affiliations
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 team and clinical and community partners, we are developing an e-learning tool — a learning object repository (LOR) — for initial and continuing education in the field of aging for health and social services professionals. This project aims to strengthen interprofessional skills essential to supporting older adults and their caregivers in Quebec, while also fostering interfaculty collaboration.
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.
Introduction to the Anthropological Approach: Ethnology.
Anthropology, Society, Health: Care and Cure, Politics and Society.
Ethnology Seminar: Fieldwork Practices.
Anthropology, Society, Health: The Clinic as Social Space.
Anthropology of Ethics: Ethics of Care and Feminist Approaches.
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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