Antimicrobial resistance and epistemic justice: whose voices are valued?

BACKGROUND

In 2019, there were nearly 5 million deaths associated with bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). By 2050, that figure could rise to 10 million deaths per year. Different populations have different knowledge and understandings that can contribute to mitigating AMR, but some voices are not often heard. In this three-year project, the student will assess existing influential guidance on mitigating AMR (including the 2015 Global Action Plan and National Action Plans) and will consider the extent to which guidance perpetuates epistemic injustice through the universalisation of ethical values and advice across contexts without acknowledging or incorporating local knowledge of the problem and its solutions. They will assess ethical concepts that might guide toward epistemic justice, including the principles of subsidiarity, testimonial justice, and context-specificity in ethical justification. Filling this gap will allow for future policies to be better adapted to different AMR contexts and population needs.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH METHODS AND TRAINING

The student will be based at the Ethox Centre, within the Nuffield Department of Population Health (Oxford Population Health). They will have access to a broad range of multidisciplinary experts across bioethics, public and global health, philosophy, and the social and life sciences. ECR training at the Ethox centre will provide them with skills in conceptual/normative analysis, review methods, and qualitative methods. The student will have the opportunity to learn from experts at the Pandemic Sciences Institute and across the Oxford AMR network to gain the relevant scientific background. They will have the opportunity to publish in both bioethics and scientific journals.

FIELD WORK, SECONDMENTS, INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS AND TRAINING

Whilst there is no fieldwork anticipated as a part of this project, the student will be notified of opportunities to link more closely with policymakers through the OPEN Network and other policy exchange fellowships.

PROSPECTIVE  STUDENT

The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in medical ethics, global or public health, philosophy, medical anthropology, or another relevant area.