Simon Cohn

Simon Cohn is a Professor in Health Services Research and Policy at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). His work bridges anthropology, social theory, and healthcare practices, focusing on end-of-life care, chronic illness, and the role of fluids in health contexts. He leads the ESRC Bloomsbury DTC UBEL Board and coordinates research degrees in HSRP. Cohn’s research emphasizes innovative social science insights into biomedical practices, including non-intervention in palliative care and redefining hygiene concepts through fluid dynamics.

Teaching responsibilities include Medical Anthropology modules and directing the Master's in Public Health for Development. He advocates shifting student focus from 'methods' to knowledge construction values, fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations. Recent grants include studies on outdoor swimming interventions for depression and redefining end-of-life care practices through ethnography.

Cohn’s publications explore multidisciplinary team dynamics in palliative care, spatial aspects of death, and patient-professional communication. His work challenges traditional biomedical frameworks, advocating for posthumanist perspectives in public health. Current projects at UCLH aim to redefine hygiene through fluid studies, reflecting his commitment to bridging social theory and clinical practices.