Holder since 1er Last August of the Canada Research Chair – Children, Medicine and Society, Professor Marie-Christine Brault is a fighter who fights against inequalities on a daily basis. His area of expertise: over-medication and diagnostic criteria for ADHD in school children.
Marie-Christine Brault teaches sociology in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC) and has devoted herself to applied research for almost 20 years. The Canada Research Chair in Human Sciences – Children, Medicine and Society, obtained following a rigorous selection process, studies why and how institutions and adults around school-aged children interact to medicalize (or no) their behaviors, emotions, attitudes and experiences.
“I have been interested for a very long time in the medicalization of social problems, in psychiatric diagnosis and in the consumption of drugs, particularly during childhood,” explains the associate professor. My research covers the fields of sociology, psychology and mental health. I want to know who are the children who experience this too often excessive medicalization, and why we see that it is especially the youngest and the most immature who are diagnosed with ADHD. I want to know the children’s point of view: are they encouraging the process or are they resisting? “
The advantage of interdisciplinarityWith a very structured thinking and approach, Marie-Christine Brault, who has been research assistant, doctoral student, professor and holder of applied research chairs, has climbed all the levels in her field since 2002. “I love doing research. Having access to knowledge, creating knowledge, that’s what got me hooked. The variety of tasks interests me, as does the fact of working collegially with other researchers from different disciplines. They are not only part of the UQAC faculty team, but can also come from anywhere in Quebec or elsewhere in the world. The interdisciplinarity of researchers and students who are involved in the work allows for an in-depth analysis of certain societal issues and helps to resolve them. “
Since 2015, this passion for sharing knowledge has benefited UQAC students who follow Marie-Christine Brault’s courses or who are under her supervision as part of internships or graduate studies. “To do research,” she explains, “you have to be curious and passionate about your subject. But you also have to be very rigorous, because there is a scientific method to follow. In the humanities, in particular, a sharp critical sense and a great openness of mind are essential, because an important part of our work consists in making judgments. You have to know how to formulate constructive criticism, and also be able to receive it in all humility. “
Concrete resultsMarie-Christine Brault participated in 2019 in the Parliamentary Commission on the Consumption of Psychostimulants, which enabled her to share the fruit of her work and achieve the rank of a real star in the research community. “I really want my work to be useful,” she says. I had the chance to speak to parliamentarians for an hour, and several recommendations in the Commission’s final report are based on my work. It is important for me to share my knowledge with the community. “
In collaboration with a researcher from Cégep de Jonquière with whom she is co-holder of the Research Chair on the Life and Health of Young People (VISAJ), Marie-Christine Brault also organizes “living laboratories” with teachers, specialized educators and people in the field who work with ADHD children in school. “Our goal is to present the results of our research to them, to talk to them about the problems and to discuss with them how to solve them. We want to equip teachers to help them improve the school environment and modify their teaching practices in order to better support children in their development. “
Sociology leads to everythingWhen her students ask her where studies in sociology lead, Marie-Christine Brault responds enthusiastically: “We observe and analyze the society in which we live, and we develop many skills that can be used in other fields. The sociologist will focus on all facets of society – culture, sport, medicine, whatever – and he has the transversal skills required to make a positive contribution. In a world that is becoming more complex, we will need more and more sociologists to understand the new issues, in particular the balance of power between groups. Fortunately, sociology and research lead to anything! “
Founded in 1969, the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC) is part of the largest university network in Canada, that of the University of Quebec. Building on the success of its 60,000 graduates, UQAC welcomes 6,500 students each year, of which more than 1,500 come from some 50 countries around the world. Renowned for the close relationship that exists between its students and its teachers, UQAC offers a unique experience and more than 200 study programs. In terms of research, the institution is recognized as one of the most productive universities compared to what is being done in the field of research partnerships in Quebec. Thus, over the course of its history, it has been able to develop several research niches, which allows it to distinguish itself around the world.
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