Liza Caruana-Finkel
The social life of abortion stigma in Malta: how abortion narratives are collectively created and contested
Biography
I have crossed disciplinary boundaries, starting off in the field of healthcare, then developing my interest in the cognitive sciences, before eventually transitioning into the social sciences.
Academic qualifications:
• B.Sc. (Hons.) in Radiography, University of Malta
• M.Sc. in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Sussex
• M.A. in Gender and Women’s Studies and English, Lancaster University
In recent years, I have worked on research projects in the field of reproductive health, rights and justice, with a particular focus on abortion. This includes research on women’s personal abortion experiences, on medical doctors’ views on methods of reproductive planning, and on health and social care professionals’ experiences of providing abortion care.
I am also a reproductive justice activist and a helpline volunteer with an abortion fund. Due to my involvement in abortion-related work, I have participated in public engagement activities on the subject, including podcasts, webinars, in-person talks, and writing for a general audience.
In addition, I have been involved in research on other themes, such as experiences of home during the COVID-19 pandemic (Stay Home Stories) and gender in health economics (with Prof Sally Sheard, Institute of Population Health). I have also worked as a graduate teaching assistant on the undergraduate module Foundations in Politics (POLI109).
In October 2020 I started my Ph.D. with a project focused on abortion stigma in Malta.
I have crossed disciplinary boundaries, starting off in the field of healthcare, then developing my interest in the cognitive sciences, before eventually transitioning into the social sciences.
Academic qualifications:
• B.Sc. (Hons.) in Radiography, University of Malta
• M.Sc. in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Sussex
• M.A. in Gender and Women’s Studies and English, Lancaster University
In recent years, I have worked on research projects in the field of reproductive health, rights and justice, with a particular focus on abortion. This includes research on women’s personal abortion experiences, on medical doctors’ views on methods of reproductive planning, and on health and social care professionals’ experiences of providing abortion care.
I am also a reproductive justice activist and a helpline volunteer with an abortion fund. Due to my involvement in abortion-related work, I have participated in public engagement activities on the subject, including podcasts, webinars, in-person talks, and writing for a general audience.
In addition, I have been involved in research on other themes, such as experiences of home during the COVID-19 pandemic (Stay Home Stories) and gender in health economics (with Prof Sally Sheard, Institute of Population Health). I have also worked as a graduate teaching assistant on the undergraduate module Foundations in Politics (POLI109).
In October 2020 I started my Ph.D. with a project focused on abortion stigma in Malta.
Research Interests
My doctoral research is focused on abortion in the context of Malta. Malta has one of the most restrictive abortion legislations in the world and is the only EU country with a total ban. Despite recent shifts in public discourse and social attitudes, abortion remains a highly stigmatised topic in Malta, with mis- and disinformation spread through various channels and a persistent focus on sensationalism.
Due to its ‘contentious nature,’ there has been little socio-political research on abortion in Malta, especially from a more qualitative perspective. My empirical study aims to address this gap and aid in furthering socio-political change. Whilst abolishing Malta’s abortion legislation is vital to achieve reproductive justice, it is insufficient. Real progress also necessitates a deep cultural change. Therefore, I have focused my research on the socio-cultural aspect of abortion stigma.
Grounded in feminist values, this multi-modal study will make use of facilitated group discussions and creative methods. I am interested in knowing how stigma impacts on people's understanding of abortion and how women in Malta collectively co-create abortion narratives.
Research questions:
• How is abortion stigma framed and experienced in the Maltese context?
• How is the meaning of abortion co-created within a group setting? And is it possible to contest and transform abortion stigma through facilitated group discussions and creative methods?