Erica Borgstrom

Erica Borgstrom is a Professor of Medical Anthropology at The Open University and Qualifications Lead for Health and Social Care. As co-chair of Open Thanatology and former Editor-in-Chief of Mortality, she leads interdisciplinary research in death studies, focusing on palliative care, structural influences on end-of-life practices, and ethnographic analysis.

• School of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care
• Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Her research examines normative concepts in end-of-life care through ethnographic methods, emphasizing relationality, policy implementation, and the gap between standardized frameworks and personal experiences. Key projects include the To Know Dying initiative and the NIHR-funded DAPPLE study.

Recent publications highlight trends in palliative care policy, non-intervention as care, and structural barriers for neurodivergent bereavement. Her work spans journal articles, book chapters, and public engagement materials like OU-BBC co-productions.

• Awards: Learning on Screen Award (2024), Fellowships at Royal Anthropological Institute and Higher Education Academy
• Leadership: Co-led Marie Curie-funded projects; active in academic societies like the American Anthropological Association
• Teaching: Develops health and social care curriculum; contributes to doctoral training in medical anthropology