Oliver Sturdy
Anthropology Graduate, University of Kent
Oliver Sturdy is an Anthropology graduate from the University of Kent with a research focus on medical anthropology, specifically the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies within modern mental health care. His dissertation research was grounded in the concept of medical pluralism—the understanding that health and healing are not limited to a single medical system within any given society. Individuals often draw on multiple forms of care—such as biomedical, complementary, Indigenous healing, and folk practices—to address physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
During his time at Kent, Oliver served on the executive team of the UKC Psychedelics Society, where he was responsible for developing and leading the society’s seminar programme. He curated content, invited academic speakers from around the world, and helped create an open, multidisciplinary space for exploring diverse perspectives on psychedelic-assisted therapies.
“The Influence of Ritual & Symbol in Therapeutic Outcomes: Perspectives From Medical Anthropology”
Saturday Sep 20th: Breakout Room
14:25 – 15:05
What does it mean when we say a treatment “works” or is “effective”? In this session, Oliver Sturdy, an Anthropology graduate from the University of Kent with a research focus on medical anthropology, will examine these questions through an anthropological perspective grounded in other cultures’ views of treatment efficacy. The session will focus on the role of contextual factors like rituals and symbols and look at how they influence outcomes and how we unknowingly utilise them in our professional practice.
The pluralistic approach that Oliver will present reflects a dynamic and layered model of health-seeking behaviour, shaped by what feels meaningful, accessible, and effective within each person’s personal and cultural context.
