Shana Harris Associate Professor - University of Central Florida |
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03.07.2023-28.07.2023
The Politics, Ethics, and Experiences of Cross-Border Medical Travel and Addiction Care in Mexico
The proposed Brocher Centre Visiting Researchers Residency project has four interrelated objectives:
Objective #1: To draft an outline for an academic book based on my anthropological research in Mexico and policy data analysis conducted in 2016-2019. I will craft a detailed outline to examine cross-border medical travel and the social, political, and ethical effects of such travel on the pursuit of addiction treatment in Mexico as well as the provision of this unique treatment technology.
Objective #2: To write a book prospectus based on the above outline which will engage with relevant literatures on medical travel, addiction treatment, medical technologies, and healthcare access. The writing process will include seeking feedback on the prospectus draft from other Brocher Centre visiting researchers as well as selecting appropriate academic publishers for submission.
Objective #3: To confer with experts in the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in order to contextualize my primary data within the areas of policy and international health and medical research. These consultations will provide valuable information about how this international health body addresses addiction issues that result in cross-border travel for care, such as ibogaine treatment in Mexico.
Objective #4: To engage with other visiting researchers on topics relevant to my work, such as cross-border medical travel, healthcare access, health policy, and medical ethics. These scholarly exchanges will allow me to contribute anthropological insights to interdisciplinary conversations and develop my own ideas and positions on important issues related to medical research and technologies, which will undoubtedly enhance the prospectus writing process.