Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon

Dr. Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon is a Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), Johannesburg. His research focuses on Medical Anthropology, Urban Anthropology, Ethnographic Writing, and Non-fiction Narrative. He holds a PhD from the University of Oxford (Rhodes Scholar) alongside degrees from Rhodes University and Wits University.

Key affiliations include leadership in the Volkswagen Foundation-funded project 'Salvaged Lives: Urban Migration, Ontological Insecurity, and Healing in Johannesburg' (2014-2015). His work bridges academic and public spheres through contributions to journals like Cultural Anthropology and Society and Space, as well as media outlets such as the Mail & Guardian and The Conversation.

Research interests emphasize Johannesburg’s urban dynamics, global health inequities, and the intersections of race, migration, and healthcare. Notable publications include The Blinded City: Ten Years Inner-City Johannesburg (Picador Africa, 2022) and edited volumes on African cityscapes and religious space.

Recent work explores HIV prevention’s affective economies, decolonial approaches to global health, and radical critiques of healthcare systems. Awards include the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. He actively engages in public anthropology through writing and international speaking engagements.