Meeting the Cooperative Childrearing Team

We are excited to announce that we are now recruiting people for our Cooperative Child Rearing study! Get to know the team members below who are conducting the interviews and running the project. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions by e-mailing anthro.childrearing@ucl.ac.uk

Luisa Rivera

Role: Research Associate 

Responsibilities: Conducting interviews and writing up findings 

From: Atlanta, USA 

I’m a biological anthropologist studying how social and environmental contexts shape intergenerational health in caregivers and children. I received my BA at Harvard University and my PhD at Emory University and have published several papers looking at how stress 'gets under the skin' and impacts our biology and wellbeing. As a new mom myself, I am inspired by learning about all the ways families raise kids despite the challenges life can throw our way. In the Cooperative Childrearing Project, I will be conducting interviews and writing up research papers, exploring how having multiple caregivers in childhood can impact child wellbeing in adolescence. Outside of work, I love sewing and playing Baby Shark covers on the piano with my toddler. 

Kathryn Ruthven-Body

Role: Research Assistant 

Responsibilities: Conducting interviews and analysing qualitative data 

From: Essex, United Kingdom  

I am a philosopher and anthropologist working at the intersection of the medical humanities, public health policy and qualitative health research. I have a masters in Medical Law and Ethics from Kings College London and recently completed my PhD at the University of Bristol under the supervision of Prof. Havi Carel (Department of Philosophy) and Mhairi Gibson (Department of Anthropology). My PhD used frameworks in anthropology and philosophy, particularly phenomenology, to analyse online qualitative survey data on the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, Japan, and Mexico. Central to my research is a focus on bodies and embodiment, aspects of our lived experience that came to the fore during the pandemic, revealing our ability to affect and be affected by others whose bodies became sites of risk, danger, and heightened concern. I am also interested in exploring how, during this time, factors such as social distancing and national lockdowns impacted children and young adults. Outside of my research, I enjoy going on long runs and live music!

Rae Hackler

Role: Research Assistant 

Responsibilities: Conducting interviews and analysing qualitative data 

From: Madison, Wisconsin USA

I’m a social anthropologist who looks at community building and migration. I’m a PhD candidate at the University of Bristol, where I’m finishing up a project on Hong Konger migration and resettlement in the UK, and how community building happens in the greater Bristol area. I have a master’s from SOAS University London and did my undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, always focusing on community building. Outside of my PhD, I’ve worked in children’s education in dance, history, English, writing, reading, maths, and children with learning disabilities for thirteen years. On this project at UCL I will be conducting interviews and am interested in how communities of childcare impact adolescent wellbeing. Outside of work and my PhD, I enjoy wandering in nature and cooking with friends.

Imogen Hensler

Role: Engagement and Communication Officer 

Responsibilities: Engaging with the public, academics and policy makers 

From: Hampshire, United Kingdom

I’m an anthropologist and psychologist who is interested in well-being and mental health of children and young people. I really enjoy thinking about how society can influence how we think about the world and ourselves, and how it affects young people as a result. While my background is in anthropology, I am currently completing my PhD at the University of Oxford in Experimental Psychology, where I am investigating panic disorder in teenagers. On the project here at UCL, I work on engaging and communicating with the public, academics, and policy makers in order to try and make our study have the most impact that it can. As someone who works in both the medical and social sciences, I find childrearing to be a very interesting and important part of development. Outside of work and my PhD, I enjoy music, reading and I am currently learning to cross-stitch. 

Emily Emmott

Role: Principal investigator/Project Manager 

Responsibilities: Managing the project and conducting interviews 

From: Tokyo, Japan and London, United Kingdom 

I'm an Associate Professor in Biological Anthropology at UCL, and the project lead for the Cooperative Childrearing Project. Having grown up in both Japan and England, I noticed that people look after children in different ways – and, as a researcher, I now investigate how differences in caregiving and social support impacts the health and wellbeing of children and families. My main role in this project is to support the team and keep an eye on deadlines. At UCL, I teach Biosocial Approaches to Childrearing and Anthropological Research Methods to undergraduate students, and I am currently serving as the Director for Education at UCL Anthropology. I’m a mum to a 4-year old boy & have a lovely beagle. When I have spare time, I like to go on forest walks (especially when wet and muddy) - although I end up carrying my 4-year old for most of the way!