I strive to facilitate processes of change and innovation, by applying anthropology within the programs and policies of research partner organizations. I put ethnographic research at the service of this by asking questions, listening to people, making sense of the variety and messiness of their views and organizing these in a coherent story. Often, I make visible to others aspects of their work they find hard to explain. Besides working with governmental, super-governmental and civil society organizations in the field of migration, I collaborate with organizations in healthcare and sustainable energy. I am not a 'fly in, fly out' researcher: in projects and assignments I work with (rather than for) partners, to ensure we jointly own both the process and the results.
I reach non-scientific audiences through blog posts, handbooks, policy papers and media interviews. See some of my favorite outputs below.
Projects
Watchful Attendance: Midwife Support during Childbirth
In collaboration with the Midwifery Science Department of Amsterdam University Medical Centre, led by Prof. Ank de Jonge, this pilot research uses ethnography to document otherwise difficult to measure aspects of "watchful attendance". This term is used to indicate the support midwives offer women during delivery, which may include carrying out medical interventions as well as abstaining from them.
Our first article (in Dutch) is out in a magazine for midwives!
In collaboration with the Midwifery Science Department of Amsterdam University Medical Centre, led by Prof. Ank de Jonge, this pilot research uses ethnography to document otherwise difficult to measure aspects of "watchful attendance". This term is used to indicate the support midwives offer women during delivery, which may include carrying out medical interventions as well as abstaining from them.
Our first article (in Dutch) is out in a magazine for midwives!
Culture in Care: Safety in the Daily Work of Healthcare Professionals
In collaboration with a Dutch University Medical Centre, this pilot research investigates "safety culture" in interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals. By capturing ethnographically the behaviours, values and attitudes of healthcare professionals in different roles, responsibilities and hierarchical layers of the organization, it unpacks how safety is experienced and practiced in everyday work.
Stay tuned for output!
In collaboration with a Dutch University Medical Centre, this pilot research investigates "safety culture" in interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals. By capturing ethnographically the behaviours, values and attitudes of healthcare professionals in different roles, responsibilities and hierarchical layers of the organization, it unpacks how safety is experienced and practiced in everyday work.
Stay tuned for output!
Active8-Planet
In this project we aim to research and experiment with unconventional approaches towards teaching and learning that will empower and mobilize students towards future-oriented climate and sustainability actions and enhance transformation of university research and knowledge in planet-centred interventions. In four countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden) teams composed of students, professors and industry professionals jointly conduct research and develop interventions for challenging issues related to sustainable futures. Want to find out more? Keep an eye on the project website!
Donor: European Commission, Erasmus+
In this project we aim to research and experiment with unconventional approaches towards teaching and learning that will empower and mobilize students towards future-oriented climate and sustainability actions and enhance transformation of university research and knowledge in planet-centred interventions. In four countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden) teams composed of students, professors and industry professionals jointly conduct research and develop interventions for challenging issues related to sustainable futures. Want to find out more? Keep an eye on the project website!
Donor: European Commission, Erasmus+
People-Centered Development Approaches in Practical and Learning Environments (PEOPLE)
PEOPLE developed a novel pedagogical approach bringing together interdisciplinary groups of students, academic staff and industry professionals to solve real-life business challenges in the field of sustainable energy and living.
The most innovative aspect in PEOPLE is that it created the possibility to experiment with different ways of engaging in co-creation between academic and industry partners. Want insight into the main findings? Visit the project website!
Donor: European Commission, Erasmus+
PEOPLE developed a novel pedagogical approach bringing together interdisciplinary groups of students, academic staff and industry professionals to solve real-life business challenges in the field of sustainable energy and living.
The most innovative aspect in PEOPLE is that it created the possibility to experiment with different ways of engaging in co-creation between academic and industry partners. Want insight into the main findings? Visit the project website!
Donor: European Commission, Erasmus+
Gender, Migration and Social Justice
In this project, I assisted partners in writing policy briefs based on research and interventions carried out in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The aim of the project was to ensure uniform, good quality policy briefs despite not only extremely varied interventions and research, but also diverse experience with writing among those authoring the briefs. This was achieved by designing a shared training plan integrated with one-on-one coaching for project partners throughout the writing process.
Donor: IDRC
In this project, I assisted partners in writing policy briefs based on research and interventions carried out in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The aim of the project was to ensure uniform, good quality policy briefs despite not only extremely varied interventions and research, but also diverse experience with writing among those authoring the briefs. This was achieved by designing a shared training plan integrated with one-on-one coaching for project partners throughout the writing process.
Donor: IDRC
EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI)
This program, financed by the European Commission and implemented by a consortium of five United Nations agencies, provided small-scale grants for migration and development projects. Both existing program documentation and tailored interviews with grantees and program staff as research data allowed extracting lessons learnt from the program. These were condensed in a handbook offering practical tools for the design of migration-development projects.
The challenge in this assignment was ensuring that all stakeholders (the EC, five UN agencies with different mandates and grantee organisations) felt their own voice was reflected in the final output. We achieved this through regular consultation meetings to align goals and expectations and to validate work in progress from the design phase, throughout research and during the production of the final handbook.
Client: UNDP
This program, financed by the European Commission and implemented by a consortium of five United Nations agencies, provided small-scale grants for migration and development projects. Both existing program documentation and tailored interviews with grantees and program staff as research data allowed extracting lessons learnt from the program. These were condensed in a handbook offering practical tools for the design of migration-development projects.
The challenge in this assignment was ensuring that all stakeholders (the EC, five UN agencies with different mandates and grantee organisations) felt their own voice was reflected in the final output. We achieved this through regular consultation meetings to align goals and expectations and to validate work in progress from the design phase, throughout research and during the production of the final handbook.
Client: UNDP
Migration Governance and Implications for Development
This program provided technical assistance to West African governments managing a temporary labor migration scheme to Spain. Based on interviews conducted with return migrants in Senegal, Mali and Mauritania and with West African immigrants in Spain, I compiled a regional report. This informed the re-design of the scheme, with the aim of better aligning policy goals and migrant realities.
Client: ILO
This program provided technical assistance to West African governments managing a temporary labor migration scheme to Spain. Based on interviews conducted with return migrants in Senegal, Mali and Mauritania and with West African immigrants in Spain, I compiled a regional report. This informed the re-design of the scheme, with the aim of better aligning policy goals and migrant realities.
Client: ILO
Publications
de Jonge, A., L. Zanstra, A. Leemans, C. Verhoeven, G. Sinatti. (2022). “Een diepe duik in watchful attendance.” de Verloskundige, magazine article, issue 03/22, September: 36-39.
Sinatti, G. (2018). “Bringing together social sciences and industries.” Antropologia2-0, blog post, 23 April.
Sinatti, G. (2015). “Anthropologist? You're hired!” Standplaats Wereld, blog post, 3 December.
Sinatti, G. and S.P. Alvarez Tinajero. (2011). Migration and Development: a Bottom-Up Approach. A Handbook for Practitioners and Policymakers. Brussels, EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI).
Horst, C., G. Sinatti, et al. (2010). Participation of Diasporas in Peacebuilding and Development. A Handbook for Practitioners and Policymakers. Oslo, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).
Media
Video: Sustainable Living and Energy: Towards a PEOPLE perspective, 5 July 2018, CIRCL, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Video: Demal te Niew web-doc trailer on return migration to Senegal. YouTube, 19 October 2017.
Article: Occupation: Migrant. One African's 12-year quest for Europe. Reuters, 12 September 2016.
Blog: Anthropologist? You're hired! Standplaatswereld, 3 December 2015.
Photo: Giulia Sinatti, Singapore 2019