Nancy Scheper-Hughes

Nancy Scheper-Hughes is an influential figure in the field of medical anthropology, known for her extensive work on human rights, social suffering, and the global trade in human organs. Her research has significantly contributed to the understanding of how socio-economic conditions, cultural practices, and political forces shape health, illness, and the body in different societies around the world.

Early Life and Education

Nancy Scheper-Hughes was born in New York City. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she later earned her Ph.D. in anthropology. Her doctoral research focused on the anthropology of madness in Ireland, which laid the foundation for her lifelong interest in the intersections of mental health, society, and culture.

Career

Scheper-Hughes has held a professorship at the University of California, Berkeley, where she has taught courses on medical anthropology, the anthropology of violence, and the critical study of human rights. She is the founder of Organs Watch, a global research project that monitors the international traffic in human organs, and has conducted fieldwork in numerous countries, including Brazil, South Africa, and the United States.

Her work often challenges the boundaries between academia and activism, as she has actively engaged in human rights advocacy, particularly in relation to the ethical issues surrounding organ transplantation. Scheper-Hughes has served as an advisor to the World Health Organization and has testified before the U.S. Congress on matters related to human trafficking and organ trade.

Key Publications

Among her numerous publications, some of the most notable include:

• Death Without Weeping: The Violence of Everyday Life in Brazil – This book provides an in-depth look at the lives of impoverished mothers in Northeast Brazil, exploring how scarcity and social inequality affect maternal love and child mortality.
• The Ends of the Body: Commodity Fetishism and the Global Traffic in Organs – In this work, Scheper-Hughes investigates the global trade in human organs, examining the ethical, cultural, and socio-economic dimensions of organ transplantation.

Contributions to Medical Anthropology

Scheper-Hughes's contributions to medical anthropology and her interdisciplinary approach have been instrumental in highlighting the importance of understanding health and illness within their broader social and political contexts. Her work on the commodification of the body and the global organ trade has sparked significant debate and has led to policy changes in several countries.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Nancy Scheper-Hughes has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to anthropology, human rights, and social justice. These accolades reflect her impact on both academic scholarship and global health policy.

Legacy

Nancy Scheper-Hughes's work continues to inspire students, scholars, and activists around the world. Her commitment to blending rigorous academic research with active engagement in human rights issues sets a benchmark for how anthropological insights can be applied to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.