Emma Louise Backe, PhD
Emma received her PhD in Anthropology from George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, DC. Her research deals with the politics of care for survivors of gender-based violence in South Africa and the United States. Emma also holds an MA and MPhil in Medical Anthropology and a Certificate in Global Gender Policy from George Washington University. She’s also served as a rape crisis advocate and community educator with the DC Rape Crisis Center, a policy advocate with Collective Action for Safe Spaces, and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji. In addition to her academic studies, Emma is a consultant in international development, with experience in gender, education, violence, and sexual and reproductive health. She has previously worked with Peace Corps, The Global Women’s Institute, the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), the Gender, Health and Justice Research Unit out of the University of Cape Town, Making Cents Collective Action to Reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (CARE GBV), and the USAID Youth in Development Policy. She dedicates her ethnographic research training to addressing health inequity, improving systems of care, particularly for survivors of violence, and promoting culturally sensitive approaches to development and capacity building.
Emma currently lives in Cape Town, South Africa and is affiliated at the University of Cape Town (UCT).