Anja Finger

Anja Finger is a Senior Lecturer and Subject Lead in Health and Wellbeing at De Montfort University's School of Allied Health Sciences. She joined DMU in June 2023 and was appointed Subject Lead in February 2024, overseeing the undergraduate programme in Health and Wellbeing in Society and the postgraduate programme in Global Health. Previously, she held academic positions at the University of Aberdeen, University of Leeds, Durham University, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of Bedfordshire.

Education:

• PhD in Sociology, University of Erfurt, Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies (2009)
• MA (Magistra Artium) in Sociology and Catholic Theology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main (2000)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning & Teaching, University of Aberdeen (2012)

Anja's research lies at the intersection of sociology, health, religion, gender, and critical theory. Her work explores health inequalities, social determinants of health, social exclusion, and the role of gender and sexuality in religious and secular contexts. She employs qualitative research methods and is deeply committed to critical pedagogy and inclusive teaching practices. Her theoretical frameworks draw from Frankfurt School critical theory, ideology critique, and queer theory.

Her publications, spanning from 2001 to 2020, reveal a consistent engagement with themes of religion, modernity, sleep, and social critique. She has increasingly focused on health and wellbeing in recent years, integrating sociological theory with public health concerns. Her work bridges cultural criticism with empirical inquiry, particularly in educational and health contexts.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Senior Fellow SFHEA, Advance HE (2024)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA/Advance HE)

Anja has been actively involved in academic service, including membership in the Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement Group at the University of Aberdeen. She has supervised student research and dissertations, emphasizing participatory and critical learning. She has not received external research grants explicitly mentioned in the text, but her professional development and leadership roles indicate strong institutional support. Her conference presentations reflect her interdisciplinary reach and commitment to social justice in academia.

Anja Finger contributes to a vibrant scholarly community through her involvement with the British Sociological Association and its Sociology of Religion Study Group. While no formal lab or research center is mentioned, her collaborative spirit and leadership in curriculum development suggest she plays a central role in shaping pedagogical and research cultures in health and social sciences at DMU.