Call for Papers: "Transnational Medicines, Mobile Experts", 10/06
Workshop "Transnational Medicines, Mobile Experts: Anthropological
Perspectives on Medicine in and beyond Africa"
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville
Date: October 13-14, 2006
KEYNOTE LECTURE: Prof. John Janzen (University of Kansas): October 12,
2006
CALL FOR PAPERS
Medical cultures in a globalized world are increasingly tied into - and
transformed by - transnational circuits of medicines and medical
experts. In Africa, medical practices, objects and ideas have long been
exposed to the interplay of "local" health systems with medical
traditions and materia medica originating outside the continent.
However, with an increased shift of human and financial resources, and
the multidirectional flows of health commodities and health
professionals in the global market economy, there is a heightened need
to understand the complex practices and power relations which shape the
multiple circuits of medicines and medical experts from, within, and
towards Africa.
For the proposed workshop, we seek anthropological contributions that
explore the options and constraints opened up by the flows of medicines
and medical experts across national and continental borders with regard
to the following issues:
* Medicines on the Move: First we want to explore the political
economies, social practices and cultural meanings that shape the
transnational flows of medicines into African countries, as well as
away from Africa to other parts of the world. We are interested in the
question how medical practices and medical substances have been, or are
currently being, brought to and away from Africa and how medical
objects and practices are reinterpreted and adapted in this process.
What are the historical and contemporary trajectories of the global
flows of pharmaceutical, herbal and religious objects and substances
which are used for the treatment and healing of disease and affliction
in transnational contexts? How are these trajectories embedded in
social and cultural interpretations, transnational migratory processes,
political and/or economic alliances, and the bureaucratic regulations
of a globalized world?
* Experts on the Move: Second, we want to focus on the transnational
movements of medical experts - and the power relations reflected and
mediated by these flows - which are part and parcel of the
reconfiguration of medical landscapes in the context of a
transnationally connected world. We seek contributions on the movements
of religious or 'traditional' healers as well as of health workers from
different African countries who migrate to Europe, the US, Asia, or to
other countries on the African continent.
How are these movements connected to the discussion on the "brain
drain" and how are they embedded in the individual and collective
biographies of health professionals and medical experts? On another
level, we envision papers on doctors and health professionals from the
"West" carrying out medical research or public health initiatives in
Africa. How are the ethical and social dimensions of their work
connected to the politics of the global health industry and to the
shifts in international health research (e.g. with regard to the
clinical trials carried out by powerful pharmaceutical companies in
resource-poor settings)?
SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS:
Please send your abstract (250-300 words) and a brief statement about
your past and current research projects (100 words) until June 30, 2006.
Unfortunately, the workshop organizers will not be able to cover the
travel costs of participants.
A selection of the workshop contributions will be published in an
edited volume.
Organisers:
Dr. Hansjoerg Dilger, Dr. Abdoulaye Kane, Dr. Stacey Langwick
(University of Florida, Center for African Studies & Department of
Anthropology)
Contact:
Hansjoerg Dilger
Center for African Studies and
Department of Anthropology
University of Florida
email: hdilger@africa.ufl.edu
Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.