Sonia Shah

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Articles, Blog, Disease and Ecology, International Politics, The Fever

My op-ed in this weekend's Los Angeles Times–a "death sentence"?

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An op-ed I wrote about a forbidden topic–the fact that many rural Africans do not want to sleep under the bednets we donate to them–appeared in this weekend’s Los Angeles Times. A prominent malariologist had this to say about it: “Excellent story – finally someone that dares to speak up. Mind you, your death sentence has been signed in Geneva by publishing this. You’ll be hated by the die-hard believers of nets…” Perfect. That’s the kind of feedback that makes me feel like I’m doing my job. Check it out on this site, or at LA Times. Also, in honor of last week’s World Malaria Day, see my article on greener methods of malaria control at Yale e360, and my blog post on the folly of square bednets for round huts at Ms. Magazine.

Articles, Science and Politics

Science and Human Rights

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I attended the launch of a new Science and Human Rights Coalition at the American Academy for the Advancement of Science in Washington, DC last week, where I witnessed an amazing spectacle: a bunch of top scientists grilling scruffy human rights activists…on possible collaborations. It’s an interesting time for scientists to be throwing their hat into the human rights struggle, after eight years of science being perverted by our political leadership to serve right-wing ideology! Look for my story on the coalition, and what it means for public debate around human rights, in an upcoming issue of The Nation.

Articles, International Politics

Improving the lot of women overseas (what do i know?)

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Look out for the January edition of Ms magazine. They’re running a special feature in which leading feminists offer their thoughts and suggestions on how our new president can improve the lot of women at home and overseas. I was honored to contribute a paragraph or two myself! Also this month, the History Channel is re-airing a documentary on oil called CRUDE, which features a certain author and shopper….yes, that’s me at Stop & Shop cruising the aisles and talking smack about oil. (A blogger wrote about my appearance in the film and called me “youngish.” Thanks. Better than “oldish,” right?) Question is: does anyone care anymore, now that the price of gas has fallen to two bucks a gallon? I fear not, but OPEC is tightening the taps so I’m guessing the price may yet rise, again. It hurts but it’s the only way forward.

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