Centre for Research in International Medical Anthropology (CRIMA)

The Centre for Research in International Medical Anthropology brings together long standing expertise in international medical anthropology research at Brunel University. A vibrant research culture has developed over the last 20 years, and the centre’s aims include the following:

• To co-ordinate and promote research in international medical anthropology
• To contribute to debates relevant to international policy makers and practitioners
• To contribute to debates current in social and biological anthropology in the light of research undertaken in the arena of international medical anthropology
• To provide mentoring, training and research skills to junior academics interested in international medical anthropology

The research interests of the Centre are closely aligned with the design and delivery of the MSc in Medical Anthropology and the MSc in Psychological and Psychiatric Anthropology. For example, postgraduate students have recently had the opportunity to undertake research with staff and/or advisors and associates from the Centre on contemporary public health issues in Uganda and Tanzania.

CRIMA runs a seminar series jointly with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Current research interests:

• The prevention and control of HIV / AIDS
• The integrated control of neglected tropical diseases
• The social management of leprosy
• Mental health and healing in the aftermath of war
• Children’s understandings of health and illness
• Witchcraft and healing
• Gender, sexuality and morality
• Disability and bodily difference
• Clinical practice in NHS settings
• Reproductive health
• Health of marginalized populations, including refugees and asylum seekers
• International health and child immunization