My spirit of inquiry was fueled by the classes “Culture and Medicine” and “International Human Rights” where I discovered the relationships of health and environment, whether that be cultural or political. The more I dove into the readings, the more I found the material genuinely interesting and applicable. I started asking questions. With the help of my incredible mentors, Rebecca Henderson and Dr. Østebø, I was able to channel that curiosity into research.

The Apolitical Health Researcher: Assumption or Reality?

From its long history as a site of aid and development to recent gains in the global sphere, Ethiopia has long been a focus for health researchers. Despite a plethora of health research, the intersection between politics and health seems to be left out of the ever growing conversation within and outside of state borders. While the political context and political culture surely have an impact on health interventions and research, this is seldom discussed in scholarly publications. This research study aims to investigate why there is a lack of political context in health related research specific to Ethiopia. However, it is important to note that this trend of disregarding a seemingly common sense relationship is not limited to Ethiopia. Globally, there is a practice of depoliticizing health research, especially in contexts where gaining access is politically difficult.