Assoc. Prof. Akello Grace Ayebare

Associate Professor


Grace Akello, holds a doctorate awarded by Leiden University in The Netherlands. She is currently an Associate Professor, Coordinator of a pioneer Master of Medical Anthropology Programme in East and Central Africa and a UKRI college member. She studies Humanitarianism, pandemic preparedness and health policy during complex emergencies and in LMICs. She has published many articles and book chapters focusing on former child soldiers, silencing of distressed children in the context of war as a coping mechanism and The oughtness of care during EVD epidemic. Her book, Wartime children’s suffering and quest for therapy in northern Uganda was awarded a PhD premium by the Amsterdam School for Social Science Research, in the academic year 2008/2009.

Qualifications

Institution Period Degree obtained
 

Universiteit Leiden

  

2009

 PhD in Medical Anthropology
 

 

Universiteit van Amsterdam

 
 

2003

 Master of Medical Anthropology
Makerere University 2000 M.A. Gender Studies
Makerere University 1997 BsC Education( Honors)

Research Interests

I study Humanitarianism, Pandemic reparedness and health policy during complex emergencies and in LMICs. My main focus in how learnt behavior influences discourses about health, health seeking and caregiving.

One of the main discourse during complex emergencies is how mental health is foregrounded, re-defined and subsequently interventions conceived from elsewhere are rolled-out among vulnerable people in LMICS

Publications

Projects

Supervision


Master of Science Theses supervised
1. Apperloo, J. (2013) Made to make a better future: Matching post conflict interventions and perspectives of war affected young men in northern Uganda. A Master thesis in partial fulfilment for the award of Master of Medical Anthropology at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.

2. Tessa, R. (2007) Children Participation at KIN [Kids in Need] in Kampala. A Dissertation in partial fulfilment for the award of Masters of Science in Development Studies at the University of Amsterdam. International Development Studies.

3. Van Dij k, M. (2007) Preventing Unsafe Abortion: exploring interventions to protect adolescents experiencing unwanted pregnancy from the dangerous consequences of unsafe abortions in Kisumu, Kenya. A Dissertation in partial fulfilment for the award of Masters of Science in Development Studies at the University of Amsterdam. International Development Studies.

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery dissertations supervised
1. Naturinda R, Sekiswa S et al. (2013) Mothers’ practices and knowledge about breastfeeding in prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV/AIDs. Dissertation submitted to Gulu University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery of Gulu University.

2. Kirya M, Ajambo, S, Sekatawa A et al. (2011) Mosquito net coverage and utilization in Gulu district, northern Uganda. Dissertation submitted to Gulu University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery of Gulu University.

Master of Medical Anthropology students supervised
1. Oroma Grace Lanek (2017) Parental response to psychotic illnesses in adolescents in Gulu district in northern Uganda. Completed.

2. Okoya Leo (2021) Psychological and emotional impacts of families with children diagnosed with Burkitts Lymphoma in Lacor Hospital, northern Uganda.

3. Alan Denis Oroma (2017) Uptake of family planning services by adolescents living with HIV and AIDS registered with TASO, Gulu. Completed

4. Okot, Denis (2021), Young people experiences with alcohol use in northern Uganda.

5. Oryem Robin (2022) Utilisation of mosquito nets in Lira Municipality, Northern Uganda.
Public lectures
Akello, G. (2013) Experiences of former child soldiers: how to hold them accountable while meeting their needs and those of the community. Public address at the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, Canada. March 27th 2013.

Akello, G. (2017) Organised irresponsibility in a defective healthcare system in Uganda: trust, truthfulness and accountability by the MOH. Public address to an audience in Bayreuth University, Germany on 14th December 2017.

Akello, G,(2018) State repression after war: Peasant reparation and justice mechanisms. Public Lecture at the London School of Economics and Political Science. UK on 18th March 2018.

Akello G (2024) Forgiveness, Justice and Reconciliation after war in northern Uganda: What do they have to do with each other? Gulu University. July 2024

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