Emma is currently pursuing several consulting research opportunities focused on access to equitable, safe and affordable health care for vulnerable populations in Cape Town, South Africa.

In collaboration with SANPUD, SWEAT, Sisonke, Gender Dynamix and the Triangle Project, Emma assisted with rapid response research to document impacts to health care accessibility, affordability and acceptability for sex workers, MSM, people who use substances and unstably housed individuals in and around Cape Town. This research focused on basic access to health care services; treatments like ARVS, PrEP and HRT; and referrals following the closure of numerous clinics and facilities after US President Donald Trump closed down USAID and halted funding to South Africa. After documenting issues with health care practitioner judgement and bias against vulnerable populations; financial barriers; and the cessation of ARVs for a large portion of those surveyed, we also met with the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health to advocate for more sensitized training and service delivery options for vulnerable populations, many of whom were at risk of defaulting on their ART medication.

Emma is also currently consulting with Gender Rights in Tech (GRIT), which has developed a ChatBot to assist GBV survivors in South Africa with referrals, support and emergency help. Emma is helping to conduct research on access to abortion services throughout the country; barriers to access for abortion seekers; and reproductive and sexual health options for survivors of gender-based violence. This research will inform the kinds of information and referrals that the ChatBot can provide and ensure a survivor-centered approach to reproductive justice.