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Dr Robert Pralat

Research Associate

Robert is a medical sociologist specialising in applying qualitative research methods to understand how social norms, cultural values and new technologies shape clinical practice and the organisation of healthcare.

Robert has a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Gender Studies from the University of Leeds, and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Cambridge. Prior to joining THIS Institute in 2022, he was a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Cambridge and the medical sociology subject manager on the MPhil in Health, Medicine and Society. Before moving to Cambridge to pursue PhD study in 2011, Robert worked in the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research at UCL and in the Office for Public Management, where he contributed to various projects aimed at the improvement of public services.

At THIS Institute, Robert has led research projects on patient safety and end-of-life care, working in collaboration with NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). He is currently co-leading a study on early identification of mental health problems in children and young people. Robert is actively involved in teaching at Cambridge, having lectured and supervised across the university since 2012. He serves on the editorial boards of Sociology of Health & Illness and Culture, Health & Sexuality.

Research Interests

Robert is broadly interested in organisational cultures of healthcare systems, interactions between patients and clinicians, and individual experiences of health and illness. An experienced interviewer and facilitator, Robert has particular interests in examining ethical dilemmas, difficult conversations, and the ways in which people imagine the future. He has previously explored these topics in relation to assisted reproduction and living with HIV.

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