Microbiological research being conducted in the name of improving global health is commonly described in universalistic terms as an inclusive endeavor with a molecular focus that is at the same time border-crossing and thus global in its scope.  Recent ethnographic and geographic work nevertheless suggests the need to study how particular local contexts shape the science being conducted and the ways in which its outputs are shared (or not) globally. 

There is a clear and compelling rationale in this respect for more comparative research on the macro geographical influences shaping micro biological research.  This presentation outlines an exploratory agenda for such research by detailing some of the key comparative questions raised by four particular case-studies: Seattle’s South Lake Union, Singapore’s Biopolis, London’s Crick Institute, and Puerto Rico’s self-promotion as BioIsland. 

These examples suggest that local history, local place-promotion, local integration into global IP, and local social and economic influences play a major role in dictating how the science is conducted, by who, and for what ends.  Notwithstanding all the contrasts, though, key commonalities are also emerging in all of these sites: contradictory commonalities involving both geographical enclaving and public-private partnerships at the same time, and commonalities which, as such, also appear in turn to be creating recurring patterns of territorial enclaving in global health interventions too.

About the speaker

Matthew Sparke is Professor of Geography and International Studies, and the Adjunct Professor of Global Health at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA.  His current research explores the ways in which the verticalization of global health initiatives has come together with the global spread of market-based governance to produce a series of geographical targeting and enclaving effects in global health practices. 

Professor Matt Sparke has written a number of articles for academic journals on topics such as the ways in which globalization processes are remaking nation-states, the links between globalization and American dominance, and the impact of economic interdependency on border regions.  He has also written a textbook titled Introduction to Globalization.

To register, please email fasssts@nus.edu.sg by Tuesday 14 August 2012. All are welcome.