PASSION FOR THE WORK: anthropological workout by Ednalva Neves

Abstract

This interview records the trajectory and career of Professor Ednalva Maciel Neves, who, recently retired, kindly agreed to discuss her teaching legacy. A physician and anthropologist, she worked in the Department of Social Sciences/CCHLA at the Federal University of Paraíba and has been a university professor since 1996. She also taugth at the Federal University of Maranhão. With a Ph.D. in social anthropology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (2004), she completed a senior internship at PPGAS/UFRGS and CERMES3/CNRS, France (2013-2014). She is a permanent professor in the PPGA and PPGS/CCHLA at the Federal University of Paraíba. She is a member of the Research Group on Health, Society, and Culture/GRUPESSC/UFPB and the Mandacaru – Research Center on Gender, Health, and Human Rights/UFAL. A member of the Brazilian Anthropological Association (ABA) since 2001, even in retirement, she continues her anthropological work, participating in panels, events, and producing studies with students and Professor seniors. Her research is related to the themes of biosocialities, biomedicine, illnesses, health practices, risk, and knowledge production. The interview was conducted by editors Geziane Oliveira and Mohana Morais Cavalcante, using a semi-structured questionnaire, and took place remotely via video conference on May 4, 2024. Ednalva is a master of knowledge and teaching and has made (and continues to make) a difference in the lives of many of her students.