About this Event
Can distress or care be quantified? Mental health research and practice often demand metrics as their most reliable mode of knowing. In contrast, anthropologists mostly distrust quantifiable measures. What alliances, if any, are possible between these seemingly opposed forms of knowledge?
Using the Indian philosophical text, the Pañcatantra to understand the idea of alliances as a tantra (a fragile weave or stitch between diverse beings and forms of knowledge), this lecture offers a five-fold weave between anthropology and mental health research and practice, drawing on a decade of ethnographic work in India, in psychiatric clinics, urban poor neighborhoods, and healing shrines, as well as collaborative work with psychiatrists.
Join the Centre for Anthropology and Mental Health Research in Action (CAMHRA) for the Centre’s inaugural lecture by Dr Bhrigupati Singh (Senior Lecturer, SOAS) – with opening remarks from Professor Laura Hammond (Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Knowledge Exchange, SOAS). The lecture weaves together anthropology and mental health research and practice, drawing on a decade of ethnographic work in India, in psychiatric clinics, urban poor neighborhoods, and healing shrines, as well as collaborative work with psychiatrists.
The lecture will be preceded by an opening reception (5:30pm – 7:00pm) in the Paul Wembley wing, Senate House, SOAS. Celebrate with CAMHRA team members, researchers, fellows, and partners from London, across the UK, and around the world. Light food and drink will be provided.
About CAMHRA:
The Centre for Anthropology and Mental Health Research in Action a globally oriented and locally connected hub for cutting-edge anthropological research, education and public engagement on mental health.
As societies grapple to respond to the scale and complexity of mental health needs, CAMHRA contributes distinctly anthropological perspectives to a growing global understanding of how societies can understand mental distress and build effective systems of care.
Agenda
🕑: 05:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Reception and celebration
Info: In advance of the lecture, CAMHRA will host a reception in the Paul Wembley wing of Senate House at SOAS. Celebrate with CAMHRA team members, researchers, fellows, and partners from London, across the UK, and around the world. Light food and drink will be provided.
🕑: 07:00 PM - 07:15 PM
Opening remarks
Host: Professor Laura Hammond
Info: Opening remarks from Professor Laura Hammond (Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Knowledge Exchange, SOAS).
🕑: 07:15 PM - 08:30 PM
Inaugural Lecture 'What can and cannot be quantified'
Host: Dr Bhrigupati Singh
Info: The lecture, ‘What can and cannot be quantified: Thoughts for a new alliance of anthropology and mental health’, will weave together anthropology and mental health research and practice, drawing on a decade of ethnographic work in India, in psychiatric clinics, urban poor neighborhoods, and healing shrines, as well as collaborative work with psychiatrists.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
SOAS Gallery, Russell Square, London, United Kingdom
USD 0.00
