Ron Barrett

Ron Barrett is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Macalester College, specializing in medical and biocultural anthropology with research spanning infectious diseases, death and dying, and ritual healing practices. His fieldwork spans India, Tanzania, Thailand, and the United States, informed by prior clinical experience as a registered nurse in neuro-intensive care, brain injury rehabilitation, and hospice.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology (2003), Emory University
• M.A. in Anthropology (1998), Emory University
• B.S. in Nursing (1992), Johns Hopkins University
• B.A. in Anthropology (1990), University of Colorado, Boulder

Barrett's research explores intersections between cultural and biological aspects of human health experiences. His award-winning book Aghor Medicine (2008) documents therapeutic practices of India's Aghori religious group for stigmatized diseases like leprosy, while his co-authored work Emerging Infections (2024) traces pandemic origins to human practices since the Neolithic era.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Wellcome Medal (2008) from the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland

He teaches courses including Medical Anthropology (Anth 239), Anthropology of Death and Dying (Anth 241), and Emerging Infectious Diseases (Anth 381), notably co-teaching the popular "Defense Against the Dark Arts" course (Anth 248) that attracted significant student interest.