Biography
Emily K. Brunson is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology, specializing in cultural anthropology, and particularly applied, medical anthropology. She received her PhD in anthropology from the University of Washington. She also has an MA degree in anthropology and an MPH in epidemiology also from the University of Washington.
Research Interests
Dr. Brunson's primary research focus is health care access and decision-making in the United States, and particularly how political, economic and social structures (including class and racial/ethnic inequalities); social networks; and personal experience intersect to produce health outcomes for individuals and communities.As an applied anthropologist, Dr. Brunson is also actively engaged in projects with real world application. She recently co-led CommuniVax, a national alliance of social scientists, public health experts, and community advocates seeking lasting improvements to health equity generally and, more particularly, to inequities in COVID-19 vaccination among Black and Hispanic/Latino communities across the US. In the past, she has partnered with organizations including Meals on Wheels Central Texas, the Hays County (Texas) food bank, and Vax Northwest (Seattle, WA).
Teaching Interests
Dr. Brunson teaches a variety of classes including introduction to cultural anthropology, applied anthropology, medical anthropology, and anthropological methods. Her goal as a teacher is to provide students the skills to use the knowledge and methods they learn in the classroom to add value to their own lives and the lives of others.Education
- PhD, anthropology , University of Washington (2010)
- Master of Arts, anthropology , University of Washington (2006)
- Master of Public Health, epidemiology , University of Washington (2005)
- Bachelor of Science, anthropology and biology , Utah State University (2001)