SoNAR Global, a project funded by the European Commission to develop a global network of social scientists working on infectious threats, is creating a regional hub in South East Asia. One focal area for the hub will be antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in the human and/or animal domains. We are particularly keen to facilitate interdisciplinary research that addresses the use of antibiotics (and development of resistance) in multiple sectors and contexts across the region.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – and antibiotic resistance, specifically – is a priority public health issue across South East Asia. It is widely recognized that the social and cultural context plays a key role in driving antibiotic use and the development of resistance. Social scientists are already working across the region to these processes in diverse settings. This hub allows us to harness this varied work to elicit key comparative insights, which are relevant for stewardship and social science theory.

For this meeting researchers working in the field were invited to present their work and participate in brainstorm sessions to identify potential ways to collaborate and develop research questions for future proposals. For the meeting summary, click here.