Anthropologists about Life after Corona

Anthropologists Danny de Vries, Jeanette Pols and Willy Sier have received funding for new research and data collection during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Danny de Vries together with Jeannette Pols has received a NWO grant for a project called "Impact of Social Isolation on Vulnerable Populations during COVID-19". The aim of this mixed-method social science study is to document the challenges, experiences and creativity of socially vulnerable Dutch populations during social isolation. What kinds of problems do people run into? Do they find solutions to these problems? What (other) solutions can be generated? How can policy support these solutions? The aim of the project is to provide actionable lessons about measures that can be taken to sustain social distancing. The rationale for this is that, if we have better insight in what the challenges are for vulnerable people to endure social isolation, we can develop policy and communication strategies to remedy this. Hence, social isolation can be made more humane and easier to bear. Using existing networks, we will conduct digital ethnographic and survey research among professionals, family, and others caring for groups regarded as vulnerable. Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Programme group: Anthropology of Health, Care and the Body Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Programme group: Anthropology of Health, Care and the Body Willy Sier together with Shanshan Lan has received a NWO Corona Fast track grant on "Life after Lockdown: Returning to a Changed World in Wuhan, China".