The Health and Life Conditions Research Group (HALC)
The anthropology of health has been a priority area at the department since the 1980s. Over the years, teaching, research and PhD training have developed and diversified this field. Starting with an interest in culturally specific perceptions of illness and therapeutic itineraries, the field has taken on a more global perspective, while maintaining commitment to in-depth ethnography.
Changing patterns of demography, disease and disability present new challenges. So do the rapid development and appropriation of biomedical technology in the broad sense of devices, health data, medicines, techniques, and health programmes. A focus on power, sociality, health consciousness, institutional practices and lived experiences characterises many of our research projects. The classic comparative method attends to social differences and inequities within, as well as between, societies.
Department researchers are exploring healthcare systems as composed of biomedical institutions together with patient organisations, government interventions, research initiatives, commercial enterprises, family and self-care.
Examples of research areas include:
- political, medical and social responses to epidemics
- care for chronic conditions
- appropriation of new technologies for diagnosis and care
- changing management of reproductive health
- innovative health care interventions
Changes and diversity in life conditions affect disease patterns and consciousness of health issues. Demographic, economic, political and social conditions shape life chances and life concerns. They involve knowledge, communication and materiality as well as positions in life courses and communities.
Research into these issues focuses on:
- patterns of social support
- aging and ideals of the good life
- gender and kinship
- morality and care
- intimate others and mental health
- security and subjectivity
Researchers
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bjertrup, Pia Juul | PhD Fellow | ||
| Bundgaard, Helle | Associate Professor | +4535323483 | |
| Gammeltoft, Tine | Professor | +4535323474 | |
| Grünenberg, Kristina | Associate Professor | ||
| Hillersdal, Line | Assistant Professor | +4530298221 | |
| Madsen, Ida Vandsøe | PhD Fellow | +4529288575 | |
| McGahey, Brian Noel | PhD Fellow | ||
| Mogensen, Hanne Overgaard | Associate Professor | +4535323454 | |
| Oxlund, Bjarke | Professor with special responsibilities | +4526148843 | |
| Samuelsen, Helle | Associate Professor | +4535327877 | |
| Schwennesen, Nete | Associate Professor | +4535336016 | |
| Wahlberg, Ayo | Professor with special responsibilities | +4535324451 | |
| Whyte, Susan Reynolds | Professor | +4535323477 | |
| Williams, Lars Peter Hedegaard | Teaching Assistant |
External researchers
- Postdoc Marie Kofod Svensson, Hjerteforeningen
- PhD Student Laura Louise Heinsen, Department of Culture and Learning, Aalborg University
- Research Assistant Astrid Andrea Schultz, Steno Diabetes Center
- Postdoc Sofie Rosenlund Lau, Department of Public Health, UCPH
- PhD Student Anna Louise Skovgaard, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University
- PhD Student Simone Anna Felding, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow at German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
- PhD student Alexandra Middleton, Princeton University, (email)
- PhD student Cheick Omar Diallo (email)
- PhD student Hamidou Sanou (email)
- PhD student Huguette Douo Tyenou (email)
- PhD student Minna Steen Bergstrøm (email)
Students
- Anna Johansen
- Mie Winther Christensen
- Cand.stud. Gabrielle Wood Henriksen (email)
Contact person
Susan Reynolds Whyte
E: Susan.Reynolds.Whyte@anthro.ku.dk
T: +45 35 32 34 77
Office: 16.2.04
Nete Schwennesen
E: ns@anthro.ku.dk
T: +45 35 337708
Office: 33.1.06