Vangie Bergum

Vangie Bergum began her university studies in nursing (BScN) and adult education (MAdEd), which led to a PhD in Education and a career at the University of Alberta as a professor, researcher, and director of the John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, and now Professor Emerita.

Vangie’s research focussed on the ethical nature of relationships. Her first project explored the experience of mothering with birth, placing and adopting mothers, which led to two books: Woman to Mother. A Transformation (1989), and A Child on Her Mind. The Experience of Becoming a Mother (1997). In 2007 she edited (with J VanderZalm) a book called Motherlife. Studies in Mothering Experiences. Her exploration of relationships continued with an interdisciplinary research project that explored health care ethics from the daily experiences of professional practise. This research resulted inthe 2005 book (Reprinted in 2020) Relational Ethics. The Full Meaning of Respect (co-authored with J. Dossetor). In collaboration with J. Nisker, Bergum wrote and produced the play A Child on Her Mind (2007). She has presented at national and international conferences and has published numerous papers and book chapters. Downstream. Bestemor & Me (2014) is her first foray into creative nonfiction.