Dr. A.E.G. (Alana) Helberg-Proctor
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Programme group: Anthropology of Health, Care and the Body
Area of expertise: race, racism, medicine, diversity and inclusion in health, diagnostics, medical guidelines, medical technologies, health policy, provider bias, decolonizing medicine, categories, Europe
Visiting address
- Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
Postal address
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Postbus 15509
1001 NA Amsterdam
Contact details
Social media
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Profile
Dr. Alana Helberg-Proctor is an Assistant Professor in the Health, Care and the Body programme group at the UvA Department of Anthropology. In her work, she focuses on diversity and inequality in healthcare and medical science. She investigates how 'race' and 'ethnicity' appear in biomedical research, health policy, and healthcare in the Netherlands and Europe. More specifically, she explores how scientific and technological practices in care and medicine are intertwined with society, politics, cultural values, and context. In 2021 she was awarded the Marie Curie Sklodowska research grant (2021-2022).
Alana started her academic career and education at The New School in New York City, where she obtained her BA and MA. Upon completing her MSc and Ph.D. at Maastricht University in 2017, she was appointed as an Assistant Professor at Maastricht University in the Department of Health, Ethics, and Society. In addition, she was a Post-doc in the RaceFaceID project and guest lecturer at the University of Amsterdam Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences. In 2021 she was awarded the Marie Curie Sklodowska Fellowship research grant, with which she was a Post-doc in the Life Sciences & Society Lab at KU Leuven in Belgium (Sep 2021-Dec. 2022). In 2024 Alana won a tender from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to explore the present-day impact of the Trans-Atlantic colonial history and slavery on the health of descendants of those who were enslaved and the Dutch healthcare system. Alana serves as PI for this project and is supported by a research assistant and a team of experts including UvA's colleague Prof. dr. Amade M’charek.
Expertise and research fields
- Science and Technology Studies
- Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies
- Anthropology of Medicine
- Postcolonial Science Studies
- Global Health
- Trans-Atlantic colonial history and slavery
Relevant links
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Research
Research methods
- Ethnography
- Qualitative document analysis
- Interpretive policy analysis
- Participatory action research
Research grants and honours
- 2024 VWS MVO Tender Gezondheidseffecten van slavernij (€74,000)
- 2021 European Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (€267,480)
- 2017 SWOL/Universiteitsfonds Limburg Subsidie (subsidy to organise a 1-day symposium)
- 2012 UM CAPHRI Philipsen Award (category: Best Scientific Publication)
- 2010 Tuition Fellowship, NiNsee Summer School on Black Europe
- 2009 4S Society for Social Studies of Science Annual Meeting Travel Award
- 2008 Maastricht University Kootstra pre-PhD Fellowship
- 2006 The New School for Social Research Tuition Scholarship
- 2006 Eugene Lang College Alumni Coalition Award
- 2005 Fellowship, The New School Democracy and Diversity Graduate Institute: Transregional Centre for Democratic Studies
- 2003 Tishman Environmental Merit Scholarship
- 2002 Eugene Lang College Tuition Scholarship (four-year period, 2002 – 2006)
Current cooperation with organisations and/or persons
- ZonMw-commissielid Dementie (expertise Diversiteit en Inclusie (2022 - present)
- ZonMw-commissielid Actieonderzoek dementiezorg Caribisch deel van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (2024)
- KWF commissielid Themacall Inclusieve Palliatieve Zorg (2023 - 2024)
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Teaching & PhD supervision
Bachelor's in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology courses:
- Anthropologies of Black Europe
- Race and Physical Anthropology
- Power & Politics
Master's in Cultural and Social Anthropology courses:
- Decolonial Praxis: Racialized and Gendered Bodies
- Thesis supervision
Research Master's Social Sciences course:
- Race, Gender, and Postcolonial STS
- Thesis supervision
Master’s in Medical Anthropology and Sociology:
- Materialities in Practice
- Thesis supervision
PhD supervision
- PhD co-supervisor of ethnographic study on forensic identification techniques as they relate to race and the making and dissemination of facial composites (PhD-candidate Ryanne Bleumink, promotor Prof.dr. Amade M’charek)
- PhD co-supervisor of ethnographic study the governing of people living with HIV and their assisted reproductive possibilities (PhD-candidate Ellen Conlon, promotor Dr. Bregje de Kok, co-promotor Dr. Nafis Hasan)
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Publications
- refereed (5)
- academic (1)
- professional (5)
- popular scientific (1)
- recognitions (18)
- doctoral thesis (1)
2024
Helberg - Proctor, A. E. G., van der Waal, R. A. B., & Goodarzi, B. (2024). Obstetric Racism as Necropolitical Disinvestment of Care: How Uneven Reproduction in the Netherlands Is Effectuated through Linguistic Racism, Exoticization, and Stereotypes. In R. van der Waal (Ed.), Birth Justice From Obstetric Violence to Abolitionist Care (pp. 139). Amsterdam University Press.
2018
- Helberg-Proctor, A., Krumeich, A., Meershoek, A., & Horstman, K. (2018). The multiplicity and situationality of enacting 'ethnicity' in Dutch health research articles. Biosocieties, 13(2), 408-433. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41292-017-0077-9
2017
- Helberg-Proctor, A., Meershoek, A., Krumeich, A., & Horstman, K. (2017). 'Foreigners', 'ethnic minorities', and 'non-Western allochtoons': an analysis of the development of 'ethnicity' in health policy in the Netherlands from 1970 to 2015. BMC Public Health, 17(1), 132. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4063-8
2016
- Helberg-Proctor, A., Meershoek, A., Krumeich, A., & Horstman, K. (2016). Ethnicity in Dutch health research: situating scientific practice. Ethnicity & Health, 21(5), 480-97. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2015.1093097
2011
- Proctor, A., Krumeich, A., & Meershoek, A. (2011). Making a difference: The construction of ethnicity in HIV and STI epidemiological research by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Social Science and Medicine, 72(11), 1838-1845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.03.043
2023
- Helberg-Proctor, A., & Busari, J. O. (2023). Systemic Anti-Blackness and Racism in Healthcare: A European Perspective. HealthcarePapers, 21(3), 25-30. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcpap.2023.27195 [details]
2023
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (2023). De doorwerking van het trans-Atlantische slavernijverleden in de geneeskunde en zorg. In Doorwerkingen van slavernijverleden: Meervoudige perspectieven op de relatie tussen verleden en heden (pp. 40-46). Staatscommissie Tegen Discriminatie en Racisme. https://www.staatscommissietegendiscriminatieenracisme.nl/publicaties/publicaties/2023/07/03/index [details]
2022
- Goodarzi, B., Helberg-Proctor, A. E. G., Brewster, L., & van den Akker, T. (2022). ‘Ras’ en etniciteit registreren in de zorg: een precaire kwestie: Ondeugdelijke categorisering kan leiden tot onjuiste conclusies. Medisch Contact. https://www.medischcontact.nl/nieuws/laatste-nieuws/artikel/ras-en-etniciteit-registreren-in-de-zorg-een-precaire-kwestie.htm
2021
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (2021). De paradox van diversiteit en inclusie in de geneeskunde en zorg. Web publication or website, Sociale Vraagstukken. https://www.socialevraagstukken.nl/de-paradox-van-diversiteit-en-inclusie-in-de-geneeskunde-en-zorg/ [details]
- Helberg-Proctor, A. E. G. (2021). Inclusiviteit in gezondheidszorg en -onderzoek: Historie, kritiek en noodzaak van diversiteit in de zorg. Quintesse, 10(4), 6. https://www.quintesse-online.nl/tijdschrift/editie/artikel/t/inclusiviteit-in-gezondheidszorg-en-onderzoek
2019
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (Author), M'charek, A. (Author), & Meesters, E. (Author). (2019). ‘Ras’ speelt ten onrechte rol in klinische besluitvorming: Factor ‘ras’ In richtlijnen is niet zonder risico. Web publication or website, Medisch Contact. https://www.medischcontact.nl/nieuws/laatste-nieuws/artikel/ras-speelt-ten-onrechte-rol-in-klinische-besluitvorming.htm [details]
2016
- M'charek, A. A., Helberg-Proctor, A. E. G., & Buckle, J. L. N. K. (2016). Ook in de zorg: pas op met etnisch profileren. NRC Handelsblad, Opinie. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2016/12/07/ook-in-de-zorg-pas-op-met-etnisch-profileren-5678585-a1535339
Prize / grant
- Helberg - Proctor, A. & M'charek, A. (2024). VWS MVO Tender Gezondheidseffecten van slavernij.
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (2021). Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Individual Fellowship. https://soc.kuleuven.be/ceso/life-sciences-society-lab/Research/racecareeurope
Media appearance
- Helberg - Proctor, A. (21-10-2024). Over bias, gezondheidsverschillen en racisme in de gezondheidszorg [Web] DOQ. Over bias, gezondheidsverschillen en racisme in de gezondheidszorg. https://www.doq.nl/over-bias-gezondheidsverschillen-en-racisme-in-de-gezondheidszorg/?hash=1786aec3a614d40f1e566fde557a1799
- Helberg - Proctor, A. (15-10-2024). Zwart Manifest x PDZ: Officiële lancering Zwart Manifest [Other] Zwart Manifest. Zwart Manifest x PDZ: Officiële lancering Zwart Manifest. https://www.izi-solutions.com/nieuws/2024/7/1/podcast-zwart-manifest-x-politiek
- Helberg - Proctor, A. (01-06-2024). Zorgsysteem gebouwd voor man van 35 met gezonde BMI en lichte huidskleur: Pleidooi voor etnisch- cultuursensitieve diagnostiek en zorg [Web] iDX. Zorgsysteem gebouwd voor man van 35 met gezonde BMI en lichte huidskleur: Pleidooi voor etnisch- cultuursensitieve diagnostiek en zorg. https://idx.nl/pleidooi-voor-etnisch-cultuursensitieve-diagnostiek-en-zorg/
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (12-04-2024). Minister is bezorgd over 'ras' in de zorg, maar bemoeit zich niet met aanpassingen [Web] NU.nl. Minister is bezorgd over 'ras' in de zorg, maar bemoeit zich niet met aanpassingen. https://www.nu.nl/discriminatie/6308412/minister-is-bezorgd-over-ras-in-de-zorg-maar-bemoeit-zich-niet-met-aanpassingen.html
- M'charek, A. & Helberg-Proctor, A. (04-03-2024). Patiënten lopen risico doordat gezondheidszorg 'ras' nog laat meewegen [Web] NU.nl. Patiënten lopen risico doordat gezondheidszorg 'ras' nog laat meewegen. https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/6303115/patienten-lopen-risico-doordat-gezondheidszorg-ras-nog-laat-meewegen.html
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (16-08-2023). Henrietta Lacks: Erg belangrijk voor de medische geschiedenis, maar waarom? [Radio] Villa VdB. Henrietta Lacks: Erg belangrijk voor de medische geschiedenis, maar waarom?. https://www.nporadio1.nl/fragmenten/villa-vdb/8732b500-cde1-4970-b506-466cf09802a5/2023-08-16-henrietta-lacks-erg-belangrijk-voor-de-medisch…
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (30-01-2023). Hulpmiddel huisartsen vol met stereotypen: 'Dit werkt foute diagnoses in de hand' [Web] RTL Nieuws. Hulpmiddel huisartsen vol met stereotypen: 'Dit werkt foute diagnoses in de hand'. https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/5346193/huisartsen-handboek-discriminatie-niet-westers-islamitisch
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (23-06-2022). Brainwash: Het gevaar van raciaal denken in de gezondheidszorg [Web] HUMAN NPO. Video Brainwash: Het gevaar van raciaal denken in de gezondheidszorg (HUMAN NPO). https://www.brainwash.nl/programmas/brainwash-bits/gezondheidszorg-alana-helberg-proctor.html
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (21-05-2022). Kleur, cultuur en klasse zijn blinde vlekken in onze gezondheidszorg [Web] sociaal.net. Kleur, cultuur en klasse zijn blinde vlekken in onze gezondheidszorg. https://sociaal.net/achtergrond/blinde-vlekken-in-onze-gezondheidszorg/
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (04-03-2022). ‘Rassen bestaan niet. Toch moeten artsen soms ingeven tot welk ‘ras’ hun patiënt behoort' [Web] Eos Wetenschap. 'Rassen bestaan niet. Toch moeten artsen soms ingeven tot welk ‘ras’ hun patiënt behoort'. https://www.eoswetenschap.eu/gezondheid/rassen-bestaan-niet-toch-moeten-artsen-soms-ingeven-tot-welk-ras-hun-patient-behoort
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (17-07-2021). “Het gevaar van het woord ras: ‘Mensen gaan weer denken dat het echt iets is’”. [Print] Vrij Nederland. “Het gevaar van het woord ras: ‘Mensen gaan weer denken dat het echt iets is’”. Vrij Nederland. July 17, 2021. Print interview.. https://www.vn.nl/het-woord-ras/
- Helberg-Proctor, A. E. G. (29-04-2019). 'Aanduiding ras hoort niet in medisch protocol' [Print] Trouw. 'Aanduiding ras hoort niet in medisch protocol'. https://advance.lexis.com/document/?pdmfid=1516831&crid=a67a14b8-fd51-4dd9-a8a3-fcf6e3286a86&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fnews%2Furn…
Journal editor
- Helberg-Proctor, A. (editor) (2021). Quintesse (Journal). https://www.quintesse-online.nl/tijdschrift/editie/t/nummer-4-transculturele-geneeskunde
Talk / presentation
- Helberg - Proctor, A. (speaker) (6-9-2024). NGH Wetenschapsdag Keynote: De paradox van inclusie in onderzoek en zorg, NHG Wetenschapsdag 2024, Rotterdam. https://www.nhg.org/wetenschapsdag/programma/keynote-alana-helberg-proctor/
Others
- Helberg - Proctor, A. (host) (1-9-2024 - 31-8-2025). Rodante van der Waal (hosting a visitor).
- M'charek, A. A. (organiser) & Helberg-Proctor, A. E. G. (organiser) (23-1-2017). Lunch workshop “Race and Perceiving Faces”, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands (organising a conference, workshop, ...).
2017
- Helberg-Proctor, A. E. G. (2017). (Un)Doing Ethnicity: Analyses of the socio-scientific production of ‘ethnicity’in health research in the Netherlands. [Thesis, fully external, Maastricht University].
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Ancillary activities
No ancillary activities
Helberg - Proctor, A. E. G., van der Waal, R. A. B., & Goodarzi, B. (2024). Obstetric Racism as Necropolitical Disinvestment of Care: How Uneven Reproduction in the Netherlands Is Effectuated through Linguistic Racism, Exoticization, and Stereotypes. In R. van der Waal (Ed.), Birth Justice From Obstetric Violence to Abolitionist Care (pp. 139). Amsterdam University Press.