Mette Bech Risør

Mette Bech Risør is Professor of Medical Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences within the Department of Public Health. She holds dual appointments in the Section of General Practice and the Research Unit for General Practice, with an additional 20% professorship at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. As head of the 'Interfaces of everyday life and health care systems' research group, she leads interdisciplinary investigations at the intersection of anthropology and healthcare systems.

• PhD from Aarhus University (2002)
• Scientific Coordinator for Medical Anthropology At Home (MAAH) network
• Joint Editor-in-Chief of Tidsskrift for Forskning i Sygdom og Samfund
• Course leader for 'Early Patient Contact' (1st semester medicine) and 'Research Seminars in Qualitative Analysis' (PhD level)

Her research focuses on illness experiences, healthcare-seeking practices, and diagnostic pathways, particularly for patients with medically unexplained symptoms and contested diagnoses. Recent work examines bodily sensations through sensorial anthropology, emphasizing how symptoms become configured within healthcare systems. Current projects investigate multimorbidity, men's health-seeking for genital lesions, and coordination between general practice and social services for citizens on sick leave. Her publications demonstrate consistent application of qualitative methods to analyze clinical encounters and patient navigation through complex healthcare landscapes.

Professor Risør's scientific contributions include 91 research outputs spanning journal articles, books, and conference proceedings. Her recent work shows increasing focus on interdisciplinary cancer diagnosis research, chronic pain management, and the semiotics of medical practice. The publications reveal strong collaboration patterns across European institutions, with particular emphasis on translating anthropological insights into practical healthcare improvements.

• Organizer of biennial Medical Anthropology At Home conferences
• Active contributor to policy discussions on contested disorders
• Supervisor for PhD and master's students across multiple programs

Her editorial leadership in the Danish Journal of Research in Sickness and Society strengthens Nordic medical humanities scholarship. Current research grants focus on coherent patient pathways and complex multimorbidity, addressing critical gaps in healthcare system integration for vulnerable patient populations.