Speakers: Dr Theresa Pfurtscheller & Dr Anja M.C. Wiemers, Karolinska Institutet
Abstract: Reflexivity is the practice of the researcher examining their research practices and critically reflecting on their own role. While reflexivity is used as a quality measurement in qualitative research, the concept is not being taught or formally integrated in quantitative research. Our 2021-2022 Masters of Global Health class at Karolinska Institutet reflected during an in-class discussion on the role of reflexivity in quantitative research. As future Global Health professionals educated in a high-income country focusing on health topics in diverse settings we see reflexivity as an opportunity to reflect on and define our roles and the influence of our background on our work. We are missing a formalised process within quantitative research and current syllabi that allows reflection on the researcher’s role and influence on a project. In this seminar we want to present our student perspective on the topic and continue the discussion with new inputs and views.
Anja Wiemers is a medical doctor who was trained at Maastricht University and is currently studying Global Health at Karolinska Institutet. She is passionate about universal health coverage and has become an advocate for access to medicine. Alongside her studies she was a European Coordinator at Universities Allied for Essential Medicines and is currently serving on its Executive Committee. At the moment she is conducting research on the effects of COVID-19 on tuberculosis households in collaboration with the Friends for International Tuberculosis relief. She hopes that incorporating reflexivity into quantitative practices can address inequities and increase needs driven research and development.
Theresa Pfurtscheller is a medical doctor from Germany with clinical experience in paediatrics and paediatric psychiatry. She has quantitative and qualitative research experience through her work at the Medical Education Center of TUM in Germany where she completed her doctoral degree. Currently she is a Global Health Master student at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. For her master thesis she works together with the Research Group for Global Child Health and Sustainable Development Goals and the NGO Malaria Consortium on a project to evaluate usability of pneumonia diagnostic tools in community health settings.