Romania took hold of my heart in 2015 and since then has consumed my mind and soul. As with any genuine commitment, my relationship with this beautiful, complex country has grown and deepened over time as I have learned of its many tragedies, as well as its many triumphs. I have surrendered myself to Romania. [...] As I continue my Romanian journey, I marvel over the resiliency and fortitude of the people. I am fortunate to have developed close relationships, familial in many ways, with many Romanians. And I am eternally grateful to have been granted a Fulbright and honored to become part of this amazing community.
Presentations on Health Literacy in Bucharest
Jenny Keroack, currently a U.S. Fulbright Student Researcher in the field of Public Health at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, has recently been in Bucharest for a series of presentations:
„The Romanian anti-vaccine movement is much more complex, organized, and connected than most people realize. Like all counter-scientific movements, it flourishes in public spaces enamoured with the intrigue of conspiracy. That is why it is so important to study and reveal the human networks and ideological infrastructure supporting the anti-vaccine movement in both Romania and the U.S. While in Bucharest, I got to do just that, discussing my findings with students at the Faculty of Sociology and the Center for American Studies, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, as well as with experts and diplomats in the city. These conversations gave me the opportunity to share my findings and further explore the many nuanced layers of the anti-vaccine movement. I was particularly impressed with questions from students who wanted to understand which news sources traffic in conspiracy ideation, not just about vaccines but about GMOs and Soros as well, and how they can improve their media diet. I look forward to continuing to work with researchers in Romania to improve health literacy discourse and achieve our shared goals.”