Stigmatization, Marginalization, Health Care, Knowledge, and Knowledge Brokering

I am a clinician-turned sociologist who studies how health care policies and practices contribute to inequities. To date, my work focuses on interpersonal and systemic influences on stigmatization. I use varied social theories and qualitative methodologies to foreground the relations (social and material) that push and pull lives in particular directions (inspired by Annemarie Mol’s and colleagues’ work). My career is grounded in both social scientific and health care communities, which helps me do theoretically-driven research and use that research to spur changes in health care practice. Often, my contributions intervene by making visible contrasts and variation in clinical practice and brokered knowledge.

Two publications I led that exemplify my interests and skills:

Thille P, Friedman M, Setchell J (2017). Weight-related stigma and health policy. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 189(6), E223-4.

Thille P, Ward N, Russell GR (2014). Self-management support in primary care: Enactments, disruptions, and conversational consequences. Social Science & Medicine, 108(May), 97-105.

My submitted or in-development publications address knowledge brokering and continuing education.

My career opportunities are strongest in health professions faculties and related research institutions. For example, my post-doctoral work has been in health professions education and rehabilitation research institutes. I have presented at family medicine, obesity, and other clinical conferences, alongside sociological conferences such as 4S, SSSP, and the CSA. Emerging issues I am navigating include communicating the distinct value of sociological work and skills (including ethnographic study of practice), differences in capital within collaborations, and epistemological debates. I am interested to learn how senior clinical sociologists navigate these challenges.