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 (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: [log in to unmask]