Faculty Collective-Kimberly Kirner
Kimberly Kirner is an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She specializes in applied cognitive anthropology, studying the relationships between cultural knowledge systems, identity and community, and behavior. More specifically, her current research program studies how persons of minority religious traditions navigate health care systems: their experiences of stigma, care-seeking behaviors, healing practices, and health disparities (in both physical and mental health). Students who participate in this laboratory will analyze qualitative data collected from patients of minority religions. Students may also experience interviewing patients and health care practitioners and collecting and analyzing folklore materials. Students will learn qualitative analysis, cognitive methods for understanding thought-behavior cultural patterns, and advocacy for stigmatized populations. Students will be involved in applied work that leads to scholarly and professional presentations and recommendations for improving cultural competency and linkages for people of minority religions.