Research
My research is at the intersection of anthropology and ethics. I focus on science, medicine, and bioethics as cultural systems, and examine culture as a place where power relations are constituted and contested.
One of my enduring interests is in the governance of research that poses collective risks to , particularly for Indigenous communities and marginalized populations. One important focus of that work, which I developed through a long-standing research collaboration with the Southern Inuit of NunatuKavut, is the examination of the “politics of risk” in community-based research ethics. I have also examined the social and cultural implications of in terms of the politics of risk.
My work in examines whether and how to accommodate non-Euro-American healing practices and ways of knowing into mainstream medicine. Here, my research and teaching intersect in my critique of the notion of . I ask whether and how we can teach cross-cultural ethics in medicine while also challenging the Euro-American normative assumptions in bioethics.
span a range of subject matter, some in collaboration with students in the context of course work, some inspired by my clinical ethics work for the NL Provincial Health Ethics Network, and some driven by the needs of the NL Provincial Health Ethics Board.
Research ethics
Research involving socially identifiable communities
D. Martin (Dalhousie), Nominated PI Co-PIs: A. Bombay, A. Cunsolo, J. MacMillan; Co-Is: G. Baikie, A. Benoit, F. Brunger, H. Castleden, M. Doucette, A. Fox, A. Hudson, L. Jackson, M. Latimer, D. Lewis, C. MacDonald, M. McNally, W. Montelpare, S. Neilsen, N. Pollock, M. Robinson, E. Root, J. Shea, J. Snook, A. Steenbeek, J. Taylor, A. Vukic, J. Whitty-Rogers, P. Williams, T. Young; Knowledge User: C. Wolfrey; Atlantic Indigenous Mentorship (AIM) Network, CIHR Indigenous Mentorship Network Program, $999,990 (5 years), April 2017 – March 2022.
A. Hudson, J. Ball, F. Brunger, H. Castleden, B. Chubbs, M. Hudson, D. Martin, M. Paul, A. Procter, J. Shea, & D. Wall. “The Naalak Gathering: A Regional Dialogue on Indigenous Research Governance”, Application to Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Special call: Indigenous Research Capacity & Reconciliation Connection Grant, 2018-2019 (6 months), $50,000.
J. Shea, D. Wall (Co-PIs), F. Brunger, J. Bull, M. Jong, L. Leibenberg, D. Martin, M. Paul, N. Pollock, & C. Wellon (Co-Is), “Enhancing Mental Health Services for Southern Inuit Communities: A Community-Based Approach”, Bridge funding, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, July 2018-June 2019, $100,000.
F. Brunger (PI), J. Bull, J. Graham, D. Pullman, D. Wall, C. Weijer, with D. Wall, NunatuKavut Health and Social Sector Manager. “The Labrador Inuit-Métis Research Ethics Project: An Experiment in Aboriginal Governance of Health Research in Complex Communities”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant, 2010-2013, $180,000.
F. Brunger (PI), “Population Genetics and Protection of Communities: A Critical Inquiry into the Cultural History of a Canadian Policy Controversy”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Facing Our Future, 2004-2005, $47,400.
Publications
Brunger F, Wall D, & Russell, T. (2020). “Decolonizing Research Ethics: Best Practices for the Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Indigenous Communities”, In Oxford Handbook of Research Ethics, A. S. Iltis & D. MacKay, eds.
Brunger F, & Chubbs B (2021). “Health and Health Care Research Ethics: Health Research Ethics in Northern Canada,” In Health and Healthcare in Northern Canada, R. Schiff & H. Moller, eds. University of Toronto Press.
Bull J, Hudson A, MacQuarrie C, Beazley KF, Brunger F, Shea J, Shaw K, Kavanagh C, & Gagne B. (2020). “, Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 15(1): 21-35.
Marshall Z, Welch V, Minichiello A, Swab M, Brunger F, & Kaposy C. (2019). “”,&Բ;Transgender Health, 4(1): 68-80.
Webber V, & Brunger F. (2018). “”,&Բ;Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/ Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 19(3). doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.17169/fqs-19.3.3062
Marshall Z, Brunger F, Welch V, Asghari S, & Kaposy C. (2018). “”,&Բ;Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(2): e70.
Marshall Z, Welch V, Thomas J, Brunger F, Swab M, Shemilt I, & Kaposy C. (2017). “”,&Բ;Systematic Reviews, 6(1): 35.
Brunger F, & Wall D. (2016). “”,&Բ;Qualitative Health Research, 26(13):1862 –1877. doi: 10.1177/10497323-6649-58
Brunger F, & Russell T. (2015). “”,&Բ;Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 10(4): 368-379.
Brunger F, Bull J, & Wall D. (2015). “The NunatuKavut Model of Research Oversight: Innovation Through Collaboration”, In , N. Gros-Louis McHugh, K. Gentelet, & S. Basile, eds. First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission, pp.51-59.
Brunger F, Schiff R, Bull J, & Morton-Ninomiya M. (2014) “”,&Բ;International Journal of Indigenous Health, 10(1): 3-15.
Gustafson D, & Brunger F. (2014). “”,&Բ;Qualitative Health Research, 24(7): 997-1005.
Brunger F, & Bull J. (2011), “”,&Բ;Etudes/Inuit/Studies, 35(1-2): 127-142.
Brunger F. (2009). “Why Do Communities Matter in Global Health Research?” In Global Health Research Ethics E-book, J. V. Lavery, ed. Toronto, Ontario: YourProf.com.
Brunger F. (2008). “Culture, Religion and Ethnicity: Important Ethical Considerations in Undertaking Research in Vulnerable Populations”, In . R. Bortolussi, ed. The Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program, pp.38-43.
Brunger F, & Weijer C. (2007). “Politics, Risk, and Community in the Maya-ICBG Case”, In . J. V. Lavery, E. Wahl, C. Grady, E. J. Emanuel, eds. New York: Oxford University Press, pp.35-42.
Brunger F, & Burgess M. (2005). “”,&Բ;Health Law Review, 13(2/3): 69-74.
Brunger F. (2003). “Problematizing the Notion of ‘Community’ in Research Ethics”, In , B. Knoppers, ed. Leiden/Boston: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, pp.245-256.
Brunger F, & Weijer C. (2002). “The Importance of Context in International Research”, The Forum. Ethics & Behavior, 12(4): 384-387.
Burgess M, & Brunger F. (2000). “Collective Effects of Health Research”, In A Study of the Ethical Governance of Health Research Involving Human Subjects, M. McDonald, ed. The Law Commission of Canada.
Ethics and research in genetics/genomics
P. Parfrey (PI), (F. Brunger, Collaborator), Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Human Genetics. Canadian Foundation for Innovation, 2007-2010, $6.8 million.
J. McLaughlin (Toronto) (PI), (F. Brunger, Co-Investigator), CIHR Team in Interdisciplinary Research on Colorectal Cancer, 2006-2010, $718,617 per annum (avg).
M. Samuels (Dalhousie) & T. Young (Memorial) (Co-PIs), (F. Brunger, Collaborator), Atlantic Medical Genetics and Genomics Initiative (AMGGI), Genome Canada, 2006-2009, $2,275,000 per annum.
F. Brunger (PI), “Population Genetics and Protection of Communities: A Critical Inquiry into the Cultural History of a Canadian Policy Controversy”, CIHR, Facing Our Future, 2004-2005, $47,400.
F. Brunger (PI) & M. Burgess (Co-Investigator), “Moral Dimensions of Genetic Risk: Ethnic Identity, Heredity and Experiences around Testing for Hereditary Breast Cancer”, MRC, Genomics Research Program (MELSI), 1999, $9,185.
F. Brunger (Co-Investigator) & K. Bassett (Co-Investigator), Culture and Genetics, MRC, Canadian Genome Analysis and Technology Program (Medical, Ethical, Legal & Social Issues Advisory Committee), 1996, $10,000.
Publications
Manual A, & Brunger F. (2016). “”,&Բ;Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 3: 1-10. doi: 10.1177/2333393616674810
Manuel A, & Brunger F. (2015). “”,&Բ;Journal of Community Genetics, 6(2):167-175. doi: 10.1007/s12687-015-0212-x
Manuel A, & Brunger F. (2014). “”,&Բ;Journal of Genetic Counseling, 23(6): 1045-1055.
Manuel A, Brunger F, & Hodgkinson K. (2010). “Psychosocial Implications of Genetic Investigations”, In , R. Brugada, ed. London: Springer-Verlag, pp.311-316.
Brunger F. (2006). “Discrimination génétique et éthique de la recherche: consentement et politique du risque”,&Բ;In , M-H Parizeau, ed. Presses de l'université Laval, pp.231-246.
Brunger F, & Cox S. (2000). “Ethics and Genetics: The Need for Transparency”, In , F. Miller et al., eds. National Network on Environments and Women’s Health Working Paper Series, Toronto: York University, pp.27-31.
Brunger F, & Bassett K. (1998). “Culture and Genetics”, In Socio-Ethical Issues in Human Genetics, B.M. Knoppers, ed. Cowansville, QC: Les Editions Yvon Blais Inc.
Bubela T, Nisbett M… Brunger F… et al. (2009). “”,&Բ;Nature Biotechnology, 27(6):514-518.
Caulfield T, Ogbogu U… Brunger F… et al. (2007). “”,&Բ;Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 29(10):843-848.
Clinical ethics
Ethics and diversity in clinical care
F. Brunger (PI) “The Eastern Health Diversity Project: Examining Needs and Establishing Priorities”, NL SUPPORT Research Grant. September 15, 2017-September 14, 2018, $69,022.
C. Aubrey-Bassler (PI), A. Dunsmore, R. Majid, S. Mulay, F. Brunger, & K. Aubrey-Bassler, “Identifying Missed Appointment Statistics for Government Assisted Refugees to Improve Access to Care”, NL SUPPORT Clinician/Allied Health Professional-Led Research Grant. December 2018-2019, $9,733.
F. Brunger (PI), B. Gray and R. Thackrah (Co-Investigators), “Critiquing Ideology and Confronting Power in Cross-cultural Ethics: An Analysis of the Understandings and Uses of ‘Culture’ in Bioethics Deliberations Over Parental Refusals of Treatment”, Phase 1. Dean’s Innovation Grant, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, 2015-2016, $20,000.
Publications
Brunger F (2021). “. Report to Eastern Health and Community Stakeholders.
Gray B, & Brunger F (2018). “”,&Բ;Clinical Ethics, 13(2): 55-66. doi: 10.1177/1477750917738109
Bhogal A K, & Brunger F. (2010). “”,&Բ;Canadian Family Physician, 56(10): 993-999.
Cultural competency training in medical education
F. Brunger (PI), J. Allison, C. Aubrey-Blasser (Co-Investigators), “The MUN MED Gateway Project: Evaluation of Effectiveness of a Service Learning Strategy for Teaching Cultural Humility”, MRF Cox Award, 2019-2022, $35,000.
Publications
Brunger F. (2016). “”,&Բ;Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 13(1): 117-132. doi: 10.1007/s11673-015-9679-8
Duke P, Brunger F, & Ohle L. (2015). “”,&Բ;Health and Social Care, 11(2): 86-94.
Duke P, & Brunger F. (2015). “”,&Բ;Canadian Family Physician, 61(2): e81-7.
Brunger F, Duke P, & Kenny R. (2014). “”,&Բ;International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 10(1): 36-51.
Other miscellaneous projects
V. Maddalena (PI), F. Brunger, V. Kaminksy, C. Kaposy, D. Pullman, R. Singleton (Co-Investigators), “Organizational Ethics in the Midst of Crisis: Examining the Perceived Role and Responsibilities of RHA Boards with Regard to Monitoring Quality”, Commission of Inquiry Research Funding (Eastern Health, The Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador), 2013-2014, $58,000.
Other miscellaneous publications
Borges J, Lee T, Saif A, Sundly A, & Brunger F. (2019). “”,&Բ;Canadian Journal of Bioethics/Revue Canadienne de Bioethique, 2(2): 39-41.
Campbell VLS, Foley HL, Vianna KW, & Brunger F. (2019). “”,&Բ;Psychiatric Quarterly, 90(2):413-420. doi: 10.1007/s11126-019-09636-1
Kaposy C, Maddalena V, Brunger F, Pullman D, & Singleton R. (2016). “”,&Բ;AJOB Empirical Bioethics, 8(2): 128-136.
Kaposy C, Brunger F, Maddalena V, & Singleton R. (2016). “”,&Բ;HEC Forum, 28(4): 273-282. doi: 10.1007/s10730-015-9299-z
Kaposy C, Brunger F, Maddalena V, & Singleton R. (2016). “”,&Բ;Bioethics, 30(8): 636-642.
Webber V, Bartlett J, & Brunger F. (2016). “”,&Բ;Critical Public Health, 26(4): 359-367.
Olsen C, El-Bialy R, Mckelvie M, Rauman P, & Brunger F. (2016). “”,&Բ;Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 18(1): 58-66. doi: 10.1007/s10903-014-9983-0
Hunter K, Maxwell E, & Brunger F. (2015). “”,&Բ;Bioethique Online, 4/21.
Schiff R, & Brunger F. (2013). “”,&Բ;Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 3(3): 31-45.
Bonia K, Brunger F, Fullerton L, Griffiths C, Kaposy C, Mason B, Morrison M, Morton-Ninomiya M, & Patten A. (2012). “”,&Բ;Techné: Research in Philosophy and Technology, 16(3): 275-295.
Boydell KM, Volpe T, Cox S, Katz A, Dow R, Brunger F, Parsons J, Belliveau G, Gladstone B, Zlotnik-Shaul R, Cook S, Kamensek O, Lafrenière D, & Wong, L. (2012). “”,&Բ;International Journal for the Creative Arts in Interprofessional Practice, 11: 1-17.
Kaposy C, Bandrauk N, Pullman D, & Brunger F. (2010). “”,&Բ;Healthcare Quarterly, 13(2): 60-63.