aug
2017
Re-considering lung disease in South Africa : the politics of data and materiality in a century of mine silicosis. Post-doctoral fellowship
WITS INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (WiSER) UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
In the present, and through our modern history, lung disease has been one of the key sites of politics in modern South Africa. This political importance is reflected in the richness of the science, the archives and the data associated with silicosis in particular. For over a century the distinctive evidence produced by the gold mines made the South African science of silicosis globally authoritative in occupational health and the legal field of industrial compensation. The material evidence produced by the mines — including the Pathaut database which covers deceased ex-miners back to 1953, the statistics on compensation, diagnosis, and the published research papers by the mine doctors and engineers — may be the largest and most systematic body of health information on the planet. It is certainly unique in South Africa as an archive of health surveillance data. The paradox of the richness of this evidence and the ongoing severity of the disease raises several key questions in contemporary debates about the politics of knowledge across several disciplines. These include three major problems, amongst many:
1. Does systematic surveillance produce strong health benefits? If so, how and under what institutional and political circumstances?
2. What is the relationship, over the long term, between the epidemiology of tuberculosis and mine-produced silicosis?
3. What can we learn from a descriptive study of dust measurements, devices, and dust engineering about the causes and remedies of lung disease?
4. How did these dynamics of surveillance, treatment and compensation play out regionally, and across the political and administrative boundaries in southern Africa?
The Medical Humanities project at WISER calls for proposals for a two-year post-doctoral fellowship engaging with these or closely related problems. The appointed candidate would be responsible for assembling a large digital repository of existing archival series, and for the supervision of Masters and Honours students on related projects.
WiSER has over the last ten years established itself as the leading South African interdisciplinary research institute in the Humanities and Social Sciences, promoting local and international debate on the complexities of change in South Africa and Africa, understood from comparative and global perspectives. A strong commitment to doctoral training and supervision is a critical part of WISER’s mission. Funding from the Andrew W Mellon Foundation has enabled us to continue our long-standing doctoral fellowship programme. For more information about our staff and research themes see http://wiser.wits.ac.za.
This is a full-time programme and is not compatible with other employment. Fellows will work within the Institute, and be expected to work closely with research staff, and to participate fully in the intellectual life of the Institute. Fellows will receive funding for two years; the package for the first year will be R250 000 and include funds for research expenses and a living allowance. Some assistance with conference funding may also be available.
To apply, please submit the following:
1. A detailed covering letter explaining clearly and carefully your interest in this project specifically.
2. A recent publication or piece of written work, drawing on your past research.
3. A detailed and up to date CV, which shows clearly your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and component courses of study.
4. Names and contact details (including email addresses) of three academic referees.
5. Certified copies of degrees , diplomas and course records.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide
Applications should be sent by email to Ms. Najibha Deshmukh at Najibha.Deshmukh@wits.ac.za
Closing date for applications: 1 August 2017
WISER, 6th Floor Richard Ward Building
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, GT 2050
South Africa
