At the intersection: bringing an ecofeminist perspective to empirical (bio)ethics and equity in international research

Abstract

This thesis presents, discusses and critically evaluates the contribution of a selection of research outputs since 1990. Collectively, these publications make a novel contribution to the literature in intersectional feminist bioethics, with demonstrable impact over time.

Five commissioned book reviews and one sole-authored peer-reviewed journal article (translated and anthologised as a key movement text for an international audience after 18
years) established my ecofeminist theoretical foundation.

This was developed through the field of applied ethics, and is discussed in relation to one co�authored report, two co-edited peer-reviewed books, and a total of nine co-authored book chapters, and four further peer-reviewed journal articles (one sole-authored).

My funded academic work has centred on, 1. the challenges for fair benefit sharing in international research in the context of the 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and 2. building equitable north/south research relationships which connect these sustainability demands with more traditional research ethics principles. It pays particular attention to
identifying gender issues in exploitative research, and mechanisms to prevent ‘ethics dumping’ between High-Income Country researchers and Low- and Middle-Income Country research populations.

My work has drawn on the methodology of empirical ethics to develop a novel method of curated comparative analysis of case studies in applied ethics, with application in fields including gender analysis.

The thesis reflexively analyses the role of my ecofeminist theoretical foundations in the development of this method and related outputs, within the context of international policy-making and research ethics. Finally, it looks to further develop inclusive methodologies to co-create research outputs with populations who are vulnerable to exploitation in research.