I am an engaged anthropologist who is a scholar activist. In addition to engaging in the anthropological study of social practices, social processes, social formations, power relations, and issues of identity, I have spent much of my life demonstrating how anthropology can contribute to real world problem solving.

I study illness and healing as entry points for understanding "culture and society" as well as ideology and disparity in the distribution of resources and different forms of capital. I study cultural roles, norms, and institutions to better understand illness experience and health care seeking as well as medical traditions.

Studying issues related to ill health and suffering, the relationship between microorganisms and macro pathogens, social mobilization etc. has led me to become not only an observer of, but a participant in global health and critical public health.

To be a scholar activist requires a fair amount of reflexivity and involves many personal and professional challenges. I view issues through the lenses of different stakeholders, disciplines, and theoretical perspectives.

On a lighter note, things that bring me joy are my family and friends, clear thought and glassy waves, the adventures of travel, poetry in motion, musical expression, and the aesthetics of everyday life.

Watch Dr. Nichter's video Pathways to Health on the Anthropology Videos page.

Ph.D. U of Edinburgh, 1977; MPH Johns Hopkins School of Public Health -International Health 1978; Post Doc:. University of Hawaii School of Medicine Transcultural psychiatry 1980-1982

I have broad research interests in the topical areas of: Anthropology of health and development; medical anthropology; the interface between anthropology and epidemiology; ecosocial epidemiology and political ecology; ethnomedicine and approaches to healing inclusive of alternative and complementary medicine in the USA; medical anthropology in clinical settings; health disparity and the politics of responsibility; globalization; the marketing of desire; governance projects and processes; the study of risk, harm reduction, and trust.

I have research interests in the following ethnographic regions: South Asia especially South India, Southeast Asia especially the Indonesia, Philippines and N.E. Thailand; the USA.

My current research involves: multilevel ethnographic study of pharmaceutical and diagnostic test related behavior; infectious and vector borne disease; tobacco use, dependence and marketing; the outsourcing of clinical trials to developing countries.