Interest in Cattle is an interdisciplinary project hosted by the Durham University Institute for Advanced Study (IAS). We
Prof Hannah Brown (Anthropology) – Hannah is a Professor of Anthropology at Durham University. Hannah’s research is situated at the intersections of the anthropology of development, global health, and biomedicine, with particular focus on the social study of animal diseases, epidemics, community-based development and health systems in Africa.
Prof Justin Willis (History) – Justin is Professor of History at Durham University. Justin‘s work has been largely concerned with identity, authority and social change in eastern Africa over the last two hundred years. His current research is concerned with savings and credit in eastern Africa and how ideas of what it means to borrow, or to lend, are linked to shifting notions of value. His interest in cattle stems from those questions – about what is valued, and how this changes over time.
Dr Emily Webster (Philosophy) – Emily is Assistant Professor in the History and Philosophy of Health and Medicine in the Department of Philosophy at Durham University. Her research focuses on the ecology of historical epidemics, drawing on contemporary biology and ecology alongside traditional historical methods to tell multi-species, multi-scalar histories of infectious disease that ground humans in their physical environments, past and present. Emily has a background in both public health sciences and history. She also serves as co-director of the Durham University Centre for the History of Medicine and Disease.
Dr Chisoni Mumba (University of Zambia) –
Dr Ollie Douglas (University of Reading) –
In Winter 2026, we will welcome Dr Chisoni Mumba and Dr Ollie Douglas as fellows for the project. Dr Mumba will be based in Durham for the term, while Dr Douglas will join us for major project events. Dr Annette Hubschle (University of Pretoria) will join as a Visiting Scholar in March 2026.
Interest in Cattle 