Upul Wickramasinghe

Dr Upul Wickramasinghe is a Research Fellow at the School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh. A social and medical anthropologist with interdisciplinary expertise in citizen science, global health, and chronic disease prevention, he focuses on health equity and socio-political dynamics in Sri Lanka and South Asia. His work bridges chemistry and anthropology through studies of environmental health and community engagement.

• PhD in Anthropology, Durham University (2023)
• MA in Environmental Management & Development, Australian National University
• MSc in Analytical Chemistry, University of Colombo

His research explores:
• Chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) in Sri Lanka
• Political anthropology of health systems and populism
• Citizen science methodologies in medical research
• Social movements and right-to-health frameworks
• Environmental anthropology in post-conflict contexts
• Interdisciplinary approaches to health philanthropy

Recent publications examine autoinjector device adoption in rural healthcare, left-wing populism in South Asia, and pandemic justice frameworks. His work combines ethnographic fieldwork with community-based interventions.

• Wellcome Doctoral Studentship
• ESRC/SGSSS Postdoctoral Fellowship

Active in public engagement through events like the Edinburgh-Durham Advanced Medical Anthropology Workshop, he collaborates with stakeholders in Sri Lanka's health sector and engages in policy advocacy for equitable healthcare access.