Isak Niehaus

Dr Isak Niehaus is a Senior Lecturer in Anthropology at Brunel University's College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences. He holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Witwatersrand (1997) and has conducted extensive multi-temporal fieldwork in South Africa's Bushbuckridge region since 1990, focusing on witchcraft accusations, HIV/AIDS impacts, masculinity transformations, and political anthropology.

• Studied at University of Cape Town (B.Soc.Sci 1982, Hons 1984, M.Soc.Sci 1987)
• Worked at universities of the Witwatersrand, Pretoria, and European/US institutions
• Joined Brunel University in 2007

His research spans multiple critical themes in South African anthropology:

• Political anthropology and power structures
• Witchcraft and cosmology
• HIV/AIDS social dynamics
• Gender studies and masculinity
• History of anthropological theory
• Post-apartheid societal changes

Publications reveal consistent focus on witchcraft dynamics (2021, 2018, 2001), HIV/AIDS ethnography (2016, 2014, 2009), and historical analysis (2017, 2013, 2005). His fieldwork spans 30+ years, documenting de-industrialization impacts and post-apartheid identity transformations.

Teaching roles include module convenor for:

• Medical Anthropology in Clinical and Community Settings
• Classical Anthropological Theory
• Beliefs and Ways of Thinking
• Kinship, Sex and Gender

He serves on editorial boards and as external examiner for PhD theses at LSE, Goldsmiths, and University of Copenhagen.