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Waiting in A&E; Faith and Doubt

Laurie Taylor looks at research into the fragility of both religious and political belief systems. Also, waiting in A&E.

Faith and doubt: an ethnographic study into political and spiritual convictions in an age of uncertainty. Laurie Taylor talks to the Lecturer in Anthropology, Dr Mathijs Pelkmans, about wide ranging research which suggests that the foundations of religious and secular 'faiths' are surprisingly fragile. Drawing on a diverse range of cases, from spirit mediums in Taiwan to right-wing populists in Europe, he analyses the ways that belief systems are either sustained or collapse. He's joined by Alpa Shah who has studied Maoists revolutionaries in India. Also, Alexandra Hillman discusses her new paper on 'waiting' in hospital emergency departments.

Producer: Jayne Egerton.

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28 minutes

Alex Hillman

Research Associate, Cardiff School of Medicine, Primary Care and Public Health Research Group

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Abstract: Sociology of Health & Illness

doi: 10.1111/1467-9566.12072

Mathijs Pelkmans

Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology at London School of Economics

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Ethnographies of Doubt: Faith and Uncertainty in Contemporary Societies
Edited by Mathijs Pelkmans
Publisher: I.B.Tauris
ISBN-10: 1848858108
ISBN-13: 978-1848858107

Alpa Shah

Reader in the Department of Anthropology at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

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Chapter: ‘In search of Certainty in Revolutionary India’ by Alpa Shah
In Ethnographies of Doubt: Faith and Uncertainty in Contemporary Societies
Edited by Mathijs Pelkmans
Publisher: I.B.Tauris
ISBN-10: 1848858108
ISBN-13: 978-1848858107

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British anthropologist Alpa Shah visits a Maoist-controlled region of Jharkhand in eastern India and explores the appeal of the Maoist fighters to the poor communities.

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Ethnography Award

Thank you for all your entries.ÌýÌý

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TheseÌýare now being reviewed by the judges for the Award, Professor Dick Hobbs, Professor Henrietta Moore, Dr Louise Westmarland, Professor Bev Skeggs. The Chair is Professor Laurie Taylor. (Please do not contact any judges directly).

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The judges will be looking for work which displays flair, originality and clarity, alongside sound methodology. The work should make a significant contribution to knowledge and understanding in the relevant area of research.

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The panel of judges will select six finalists, and from that shortlist the judges will select an overall winner who will be awarded a prize of £1000.

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The finalists will be contacted by telephone early spring of 2014 and the winner of the Award will be announced at the .

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Please see the for all the rules.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 15 Jan 2014 16:00
  • Mon 20 Jan 2014 00:15

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