Dr. Jennifer Liu

Biography

Jennifer Liu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Waterloo. She is a cultural medical anthropologist whose work intersects with science technology studies and global health, focusing on the governance, ethics, and social implications of biomedical technologies. Jennifer has a diverse background, having worked in Taiwan, Zambia, and Bangladesh, and her teaching covers sociocultural anthropology, medical anthropology, theory, and global health. She obtained her PhD in Medical Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2008. Liu's research interests include food and water security and the ethical considerations surrounding biomedical interventions. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to important discussions in international health and biotechnology, with a keen focus on culturally safe and anti-racist approaches to health, particularly regarding Indigenous maternal health in Canada. Through her continuous engagement in both academic research and teaching, she strives to highlight the vital intersections between culture, ethics, and public health.

Research Interests