Lydia Boyd

Lydia Boyd is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of African, African American, and Diaspora Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on Uganda, examining intersections of health, religion, and global health policy. She holds degrees from Duke University (A.B.), and New York University (M.A., Ph.D.).

Her work explores how Ugandan Christian activists engage with global health initiatives, particularly around HIV/AIDS prevention, and the moral frameworks shaping health behaviors. Recent projects include studies on reproductive health, human rights legislation, and the impact of American evangelical influences. She has conducted fieldwork in Uganda, supported by a Fulbright-Hays fellowship and UNC grants.

Boyd's research interests span medical anthropology, gender studies, and visual anthropology. Her books include *Preaching Prevention* (2015) on Ugandan Christian activism and *Legislating Gender and Sexuality in Africa* (2020), an edited volume on rights struggles. She combines academic work with documentary filmmaking, holding a Certificate in Culture & Media from NYU.

Her articles analyze maternal health, economic justice, and the politics of human rights in Uganda. Boyd’s interdisciplinary approach bridges anthropology, public health, and critical theory, addressing global-local dynamics in health and development.