Staff profile

Halima's PhD research, titled "Caesarean Births in Bangladesh: Navigating Decision-Making, Birth Challenges, and Health Implications for Maternal and Neonatal Health", focuses on the causes of high rates of caesarean sections (CS) in Bangladesh, the CS decision-making process, and the health implications for mothers and babies. Using a mixed-methods approach, she collected data from Bangladeshi mothers with recent CS experiences and investigated the subsequent short- and long-term health repercussions for mothers and infants following CS. Additionally, she gathered data from the healthcare providers, including obstetricians, nurses, and midwives, as well as husbands and senior female family members of the participating mothers, to understand the CS decision-making process and the birth challenges of mothers. Halima employed Brigitte Jordan’s concept of 'authoritative knowledge' to examine the decision-making of CS in Bangladesh. She also applied Ivan Illich's concept of  'medical iatrogenesis' to explore the health implications and multifaceted challenges confronting mothers undergoing CS. 

Her PhD was funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK (2019–2023). Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship at the University of Birmingham in 2014. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Anthropology from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Bangladesh. She has been a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology at SUST since 2009 and is currently an Associate Professor (on study leave).

ORCID iD | LinkedIn Profile

• Co-production
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Ethnographic Research Tools
• Mixed Methods Research
• Maternal and Reproductive Health
• Health, Illness and Culture
• Medical Ethics
• Health Policy Development
• Mental Health and Well-being

• 2019 - 2024: Commonwealth PhD Scholarship:
• 2014: Commonwealth Professional Fellowship: University of Birmingham, UK

Journal Article

• ‘Covid-19 and Me’. A Serendipitous Teaching and Learning Opportunity in a 1st Year Undergraduate Medical Anthropology Course
  
  Russell, A., Johnson, L., Tupper, E., Keegan, A., Atkher, H., & Mullard, J. (2021). ‘Covid-19 and Me’. A Serendipitous Teaching and Learning Opportunity in a 1st Year Undergraduate Medical Anthropology Course. Teaching Anthropology, 10(3), Article 38-45. https://doi.org/10.22582/ta.v10i3.604