Ricardo Ayala

Ricardo Ayala serves as Associate Professor at the Faculty of Nursing Sciences, University of Montreal since July 2024, while maintaining his position as professor-researcher at Universidad de las Américas in Chile. His dual expertise bridges social sciences and healthcare systems within academic and policy contexts.

He earned his PhD in Sociology from Ghent University (Belgium) in 2015, establishing foundational knowledge in professional structures and ethical frameworks. His educational trajectory reflects interdisciplinary integration of sociological theory with health practice.

Dr. Ayala's research centers on professional sociology with critical examination of how occupational structures influence healthcare practices and public policies. His applied philosophy work focuses on professional autonomy and ethical governance to advance equitable care models. Employing rigorous qualitative methodologies—including in-depth interviews and focus groups—he investigates stakeholder experiences to decode professional dynamics and systemic impacts. Emerging work explores environmental determinants intersecting with geographical health disparities.

Key research domains include:

• Ethics in healthcare professions
• Transformation of professional practices
• Social determinants (gender, ethnicity, immigration)
• Health policy analysis
• Qualitative methodological innovation
• Professional autonomy frameworks
• Social inclusion mechanisms
• Environmental health justice

He currently authors a monograph on care profession autonomy and co-founded the International Congress on Professional Ethics network, driving global discourse on ethical healthcare governance.

His distinguished recognition includes:

• Human Rights & Nursing award (2022) from Nursing Ethics journal and University of Exeter

Dr. Ayala actively cultivates Canada-Latin America research partnerships, welcoming collaboration opportunities to address transnational health equity challenges through his sociological and ethical lens.