Seth M. Holmes

Seth Holmes at the 2017 SHSSM conference

Seth M. Holmes is an American cultural and medical anthropologist, physician, and author. He is known for his work on social hierarchies, health disparities, and the intersections of migration, labor, and health. Holmes is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Health and the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley.

Education

Holmes received his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Vassar College. He then earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from the University of California, San Francisco and his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Medical Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley and University of California, San Francisco joint program.

Research and Work

Holmes' research focuses on the social determinants of health, particularly among migrant populations. His ethnographic work often involves immersive fieldwork, where he examines the lived experiences of migrant workers, their health outcomes, and the structural forces that shape their lives.

Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies

Holmes is the author of Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies: Migrant Farmworkers in the United States, a book that explores the conditions and health challenges faced by migrant farmworkers. The book is based on his fieldwork with indigenous Mexican migrant laborers in the United States and has received critical acclaim for its in-depth analysis and empathetic portrayal of the subjects.

Awards and Honors

Holmes has received numerous awards for his contributions to anthropology and public health, including the Margaret Mead Award from the American Anthropological Association and the Society for Applied Anthropology.

Teaching

At the University of California, Berkeley, Holmes teaches courses on medical anthropology, social theory, and the anthropology of migration. He is also involved in mentoring students and guiding them in their research projects.

Selected Publications

• Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies: Migrant Farmworkers in the United States (2013)
• Various articles in academic journals on topics related to medical anthropology, migration, and health disparities.

See Also

• Medical Anthropology
• Social Determinants of Health
• Migrant Workers
• Public Health