Dr. Martha Paynter has worked to advance abortion access in Canada for over twenty years. A writer, nurse and public scholar, she is recognized internationally for her expertise at the nexus of reproductive justice and prisoner health.
She is an associate professor at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Nursing, where her research addresses the health rights of people experiencing incarceration, as well as sexual and reproductive health care in Canada and around the world. She is the author of Lawless: Abortion Under Complete Decriminalization (Fernwood, 2025), Abortion to Abolition: Reproductive Health and Justice in Canada (Fernwood, 2022) and has published extensively in national magazines (Chatelaine, Briarpatch) and scientific journals.
Paynter is a keen advocate for increasing the influence of women and gender-diverse people in news media and participates regularly in interviews with national and international print, radio and TV press (CBC/Radio-Canada, Global, CTV). She values and fosters collaborations with community organizations and lived-experience experts in reproductive health and prison justice. Paynter is a recipient of the 150th anniversary medal from the Senate of Canada for her volunteer service to the country (2017) and the King Charles III Coronation Medal for service to the nursing profession (2025).
Martha Paynter infirmière et autrice de Lawless: Abortion under Complete Decriminalization (Fernwood, 2025). Elleœuvre depuis plus de vingt ans à améliorer l’accès à l’avortement au Canada. Écrivaine, infirmière et chercheuse publique, elle est reconnue à l’international pour son expertise à l’intersection de la justice reproductive et de la santé des personnes incarcérées.
Elle est professeure agrégée à la Faculté des sciences infirmières de l’Université du Nouveau-Brunswick, où ses recherches portent sur les droits en matière de santé des personnes incarcérées, ainsi que sur les soins de santé sexuelle et reproductive au Canada et dans le monde.
Martha is a recent winner of the UNB University Research Scholar Award.
Martha Paynter, RN PhD 