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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.

Research ethics: One of my enduring interests is in the governance of research that poses collective risks to socially identifiable communities, particularly for Indigenous communities and marginalized populations. One important focus of that work, which I developed through ethnographic research in collaboration with NunatuKavut community leaders, is the examination of the “politics of risk” in community-based research ethics. I have also examined the social and cultural implications of genetic/genomic research in terms of the politics of risk.

Clinical ethics: My work in clinical ethics focusses on cross-cultural health care, including research into barriers to accessing health care for newly arrived refugees. I critique the notion of “cultural sensitivity” in health care, pointing to the need for cultural humility and critical reflection on the culture of biomedicine itself.  I  have written about how best to teach cross-cultural clinical ethics to health care professionals in a way that emphasises the culture of biomedicine.  I have written on a wide range of other subjects in clinical ethics, 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. 

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

F. Brunger. (in press).  “What counts as ‘ethical in Indigenous research? Canadian researchers’ shifting values and the broader implications for research ethics policy and practice.  Canadian Journal of Bioethics.

Marshall, Z., Bhattacharjee, M., Wang, M., Cadri, A., James, H., Asghari, S., Peltekian, R., Benz, V., Finley-Roy, V., Childs, B., Asaad, L., Swab, M., Welch, V., Brunger, F., & Kaposy, C. (2024). Finding medical photographs of patients online: Randomized, cross-sectional study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e55352.  

Marshall, Z., Kaposy, C., Brunger, F., & Welch, V. (2022). Trans Research Ethics: Challenges and Recommendations for Change. Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies, 1(3-4), 187-210.  

Brunger F, Wall D, & Russell, T. (2024 [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). “Assessing Risk to Researchers: Using the Case of Sexuality Research to Inform Research Ethics Board Guidelines”,&�Բ�����;Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/ Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 19(3).

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 Toolbox of Principles for Research in Indigenous Contexts: Ethics, Respect, Equity, Reciprocity, Cooperation and Culture, 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) “Animating the Concept of Ethical Space: The Labrador Aboriginal Health Research Committee Ethics Workshop”,&�Բ�����;International Journal of Indigenous Health, 10(1): 3-15.   

Gustafson D, & Brunger F.  (2014). “”,&�Բ�����;Qualitative Health Research, 24(7): 997-1005.

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). “Ethical Challenges in Arts-based Health Research”,&�Բ�����;International Journal for the Creative Arts in Interprofessional Practice, 11: 1-17.  

Brunger F, & Bull J. (2011), “Whose Agenda Is It? Regulating Research Ethics in the Labrador Context”,&�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 Handbook for Clinician Scientists: Tools for a Successful Academic Career. 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 Ethical Issues in International Biomedical Research: A Case Book. J. V. Lavery, E. Wahl, C. Grady, E. J. Emanuel, eds. New York: Oxford University Press, pp.35-42.  

Brunger F, & Burgess M. (2005). “A Cultural Understanding of Research Ethics Governance”,&�Բ�����;Health Law Review, 13(2/3): 69-74.  

Brunger F. (2003). “Problematizing the Notion of ‘Community’ in Research Ethics”, In Populations and Genetics: Legal and Socio-Ethical Perspectives, 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 The Gender of Genetic Futures: The Canadian Biotechnology Strategy, Women and Health, 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). “Stem Cell Ethics: Consensus Statement on Emerging Issues”,&�Բ�����;Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 29(10):843-848.    

Clinical ethics  

Ethics and diversity

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.

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, ����APP, 2015-2016, $20,000.

Publications

Brunger F (2021). “The Eastern Health Diversity Project: Examining Needs and Establishing Priorities”.   Report to Eastern Health and Community Stakeholders.

Gray B, & Brunger F (2018). “”,&�Բ�����;Clinical Ethics, 13(2): 55-66. doi: 10.1177/1477750917738109

Brunger F. (2016). “”,&�Բ�����;Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 13(1): 117-132. doi: 10.1007/s11673-015-9679-8

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

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.

Bhogal A K, & Brunger F. (2010). “”,&�Բ�����;Canadian Family Physician, 56(10): 993-999.

Clinical ethics, other

Fern Brunger   & Kendall, E. (2024). Review of Radiation Dose Metric Tracking for Patients: Ethical Implications of the “Do Not Disclose” Standard. Canadian Journal of Bioethics, 7(2), 4-11.

Brunger, F., & Penney, O. (2024). A Brief Discussion of the Impact of Service-Learning Experience on Physicians´ Manner of Practice. Education for Health, 37(2), 147-151.

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.

Hunter K, Maxwell E, & Brunger F. (2015). “”,&�Բ�����;Bioethique Online, 4/21. 

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.

Kaposy C, Bandrauk N, Pullman D, & Brunger F. (2010). “”,&�Բ�����;Healthcare Quarterly, 13(2): 60-63.