Research interests

My research interests lie in medical anthropology, drawing on critical medical anthropology and political economy as lenses to understand and analyse the social, political, and economic dimensions of health and illness. 

My current research explores young people’s mental well-being in digital contexts. I examine how young people understand and experience mental well-being within their everyday lives, the environmental and social stressors that shape their mental health, and the role of digital technologies in mediating experiences of care, support, and well-being.

Rather than assuming that digital technologies inherently enhance mental well-being, I approach the relationship between digital technologies and mental health as an ethnographic problem that requires critical exploration. My research investigates the tensions between individualised approaches to mental health interventions and broader forms of collective care and social support, while situating young people's experiences within wider socio-economic, political, and cultural conditions. In doing so, the study aims to rethink youth mental well-being in a digital context and contribute to critical debates within the global mental health framework.    

Teaching

• 2026- Anthropology of Gender at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• 2025- Anthropology of Epidemiology, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• 2024- Social Structure of Tanzanian Societies, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• 2023- Introduction to Kinship and sex, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• 2022- Social Work and Social Development, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Einstein Research Unit “Technologies in Global Health” Project

In our case study, we argue that digital technologies can indeed play a relevant role in mitigating treatment gaps by recognising and incorporating diverse social and cultural contexts that shape individuals’ experiences and perceptions of mental wellbeing. Our research in Tanzania and Uganda will therefore consider cultural, socioeconomic, and healthcare factors that impact individuals’ experiences and access to mental health resources.

Publications

• Kitunda, Nassoro Rajab (2026) "Rethinking Marine Resource Management and the Livelihoods of Artisanal Fishers," Tanzania Journal of Sociology: Vol. 9: Iss. 2, Article 14. DOI: 10.56279/tajoso.v9i1.123 Available at: https://commons.udsm.ac.tz/tjso/vol9/iss2/14.

• Kitunda, N. (2025). The role of commodification of health care in Reproducing Health Care inequality in the Context of Neoliberalism in Amana Regional Referral Hospital. Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 26(3), 2110–2120. https://doi.org/10.4314/thrb.v26i3.19.
• Kitunda, N. (2024). Capitalism, gender activism and women’s liberation in Tanzania: myths and realities. Tanzania Journal of Sociology, 10(2), 43–57. https://doi.org/10.56279/tajoso.v10i2.173.

• Kitunda, N  (2022). The Crisis of Non-communicable Diseases in Tanzania. A Political Economy. THE CRISIS OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN TANZANIA A Political Economy.

• Kitunda, N (2021).Mambo ya Msingi Ambayo Hayazungumzwi katika Mjadala wa kati9ba mpya. https://udadisi.com/mambo-ya-msingi-ambayo-hayazungumzwi-katika-madai-ya-katiba-mpya/.

• Kitunda,N (2020) Health care inequality in the context of neoliberalism: The case of Amana Regional Referral Hospital, Ilala Municipality. University of Dar es Salaam.