Dr. Alison Shaw

Biography

Alison Shaw's research focuses on social anthropology, particularly in the areas of medical genetics, genetic screening, and consanguineous marriage in Pakistani and South Asian contexts. Her seminal fieldwork in Pakistan during the early 1980s led to her pioneering study of British Pakistani transnational kinship practices, culminating in the publication of her influential monograph, 'Kinship Continuity: Pakistani Families in Britain' in 2000. Shaw has also examined the experiences of British Pakistani families dealing with genetic issues, resulting in her subsequent works including 'Negotiating Risk: British Pakistani Experiences of Genetics' (2009), which explores the nuanced understanding of genetic risk between patients and clinicians. Her contributions to the field of anthropology include notable publications addressing the socio-political implications of genetic testing in transnational settings, as well as critical insights into marriage practices and cultural change. Shaw is actively involved in supervising DPhil students and has held several prestigious academic positions, including her current role as a Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Oxford since 2014. Over the years, she has been a part of numerous interdisciplinary collaborations and has authored significant works that bridge anthropology with contemporary issues surrounding genetics and family structures.

Research Interests

Experience