Understanding uses of cow dung in South Asia - what are the connections to spirituality, sustainability, and health?
Layla Kwong, Professor
Public Health
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2025.
Exposure to animal feces can cause diarrhea, but not all animal feces are the same. While chicken poop can cause many child health issues, cow dung is used for many practical and spiritual purposes. What are people using cow dung for? How does this affect their spiritual lives, health, and well-being?
Role: As an undergraduate research assistant, you'll play a crucial role in coding and analyzing interviews from Nepal and Bangladesh to understand how and why people use cow dung in their daily lives. You'll unpack how cow dung relates to spirituality, sustainability, and health. This position can be accomplished remotely.
Qualifications: Interest in public health and willingness to learn and be meticulous is required. Prior data experience working with qualitative data is highly desirable. Prior knowledge of health impacts of heat is preferred. Knowledge of South Asian (particularly Bangladeshi) culture and politics is a plus.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Mahfuza Islam, Ph.D. candidate
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Environmental Issues Biological & Health Sciences