Vinay Kamat

Vinay Kamat is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and holds the Keith Burwell Professorship in Medical Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. He specializes in medical anthropology, global health, and political ecology, with fieldwork focused on India and Tanzania. His research examines intersections of health systems, environmental conservation, and socio-economic marginalization.

Education:

• PhD in Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Bombay (1992)
• MA in Anthropology, University of Arizona (1994)
• PhD in Anthropology, Emory University (2004)

Research Interests: Kamat explores topics including:

• Marine conservation impacts on coastal communities
• Healthcare privatization and access in Africa
• Ethical dimensions of clinical trials outsourcing in India
• Climate change effects on fishing livelihoods in Tanzania

Key Publications: His books include *Silent Violence* (2013) on childhood malaria in Tanzania and *In a Wounded Land* (2024) analyzing marine conservation conflicts. Recent articles address natural gas extraction, food insecurity in protected areas, and fisheries management in Madagascar.

Awards:

• Multiple teaching awards from UBC departments
• SSHRC Insight Grant (2018) for natural gas research
• Wenner Gren Postdoctoral Fellowship (2011)

Service: Chair of UBC African Studies Minor (2012–2015), SSHRC-funded COVID-19 research, and collaborations with Tanzanian NGOs.