Dr Christopher Bunn
- Senior Lecturer (Sociology)
- Associate (School of Health & Wellbeing)
telephone:
0141 330 3670
email:
Christopher.Bunn@glasgow.ac.uk
608 ASB, School of Social and Political Sciences, Bute Gardens, Glasgow, G12 8RS
Biography
Chris is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Glasgow and a Senior Researcher at the Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit. He studied Social and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge, before progressing to do MPhil and PhD degrees in sociology at the same Univeristy. His PhD explored the positionality and activities of faith based organisations providing welfare and social support services in the UK during the New Labour years, through a multi-sited ethnography.
His first research post was within the Univeristy of Cambridge's Institute for Metabolic Science, which focussed on developing and evaluating a peer support service for people living with type 2 diabetes. Following this, Chris moved to Glasgow to work on the Football Fans in Training study, joinging the College of Social Science's Institue of Health and Wellbeing (IHW) group. Sunsequently, Chris worked on a range of public health focussed projects, including EuroFIT, bringing sociological insights to the design and evaluation of interventions.
After working as a Research Associate for five years, Chris was awarded a College of Social Science/IHW fellowship to develop a portfolio of work on long term conditions in low- and middle-income countries and commercial determinants of health. This led to an ongoing long-term collaboration with the Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit and to a series of studies of unhealthy commodities industries, their place in sports and the impacts they have on health.
Chris' current work is foccused on Malawi, where he supporting a Wellcome Trust cohort study of living with long term conditions in the country. He is a co-investigator on a range of studies relating to long-term conditions in Malawi and Tanzanaia and gambling in Malawi, Ghana and the UK, and teaches sociology and global health.
Research interests
Chris' research interests include the sociologies of long-term health conditions, gambling, commercial determinants of health, civil society and religion.
He has a particular focus on using sociological theory and method in interdisciplinary teams to establish the contextual drivers of social problems, working dialogically with communities and experts to co-construct responses to these problems before systematically evaluating the impacts these responses produce.
Chris' research focuses on three territories - the UK, Malawi and Tanzania - but actively considers the transnational forces at work in them.
Publications
Selected publications
Msoka, E. F., Bunn, C. , Msoka, P., Yongolo, N., Laurie, E. , Wyke, S. , McIntosh, E. and Mmbaga, B. T. (2024) A rapid ethnographic appraisal of community concepts of and responses to joint pain in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. BMJ Global Health, 9, e013245. (doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013245)
McGee, D. and Bunn, C. (Eds.) (2023) Gambling and Sports in a Global Age. Series: Research in the sociology of sport: Volume 18. Emerald. ISBN 9781801173056
Glozah, F., Bunn, C. , Sichali, J. M., Yendork, J. S., Mtema, O., Udedi, M., Reith, G. and McGee, D. (2023) Young people and gambling in sub-Saharan Africa: towards a critical research agenda. Journal of the British Academy, 11(s3), pp. 153-172. (doi: 10.5871/jba/011s3.153)
Mtema, O., Singano, I. “S.”, McGee, D., Yakobe, Y., Sichali, J., Makamo, M., Reith, G. and Bunn, C. (2023) “Creating poverty chances”: young people confront gambling harms in Malawi. Sociological Research Online, (doi: 10.1177/13607804231207152) (Early Online Publication)
Sichali, J. M., Bunn, C. , McGee, D., Marionneau, V. K., Yendork, J. S., Glozah, F., Udedi, M. and Reith, G. (2023) Regulation of gambling in Sub-Saharan Africa: findings from a comparative policy analysis. Public Health, 214, pp. 140-145. (doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.07.018)
Chikumbu, E. F. et al. (2022) Experiences of multimorbidity in urban and rural Malawi: an interview study of burdens of treatment and lack of treatment. PLoS Global Public Health, 2(3), e0000139. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000139) (PMID:36962280) (PMCID:PMC10021162)
Bunn, C. , Mtema, O., Nkhwazi, L., Reith, G. and Lwanda, J. (2022) 'They say "easy money", telling you to predict the games': an interview study with sports bettors in Lilongwe, Malawi. In: Nikkinen, J., Marionneau, V. and Egerer, M. (eds.) The Global Gambling Industry: Structures, Tactics and Networks of Impact. Series: Glücksspielforschung. Springer Gabler: Wiesbaden, pp. 113-129. ISBN 9783658356347 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-658-35635-4_8)
Sichali, J. M., Dube, A., Kachiwanda, L., Wardle, H. , Crampin, A. C. and Bunn, C. (2021) Case report: a gambling-related suicide in rural Malawi. Wellcome Open Research, 6, 308. (doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17333.1) (PMID:34869913) (PMCID:PMC8609396)
Bunn, C. , Mtema, O., Songo, J. and Udedi, M. (2020) The growth of sports betting in Malawi: corporate strategies, public space and public health. Public Health, 184, pp. 95-101. (doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.03.022) (PMID:32466981)
Bunn, C. , Kalinga, C., Mtema, O., Abdulla, S., Dillip, A., Lwanda, J., Mtenga, S., Sharp, J. , Strachan, Z. and Gray, C. (2020) Arts-based approaches to promoting health in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. BMJ Global Health, 5, e001987. (doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001987) (PMID:32444361)
Ireland, R., Bunn, C. , Reith, G. , Philpott, M., Capewell, S., Boyland, E. and Chambers, S. (2019) Commercial determinants of health and sport sponsorship. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 97(4), pp. 290-295. (doi: 10.2471/BLT.18.220087) (PMID:30940986) (PMCID:PMC6438257)
Bunn, C. , Ireland, R., Minton, J. , Holman, D., Philpott, M. and Chambers, S. (2019) Shirt sponsorship by gambling companies in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues: global reach and public health concerns. Soccer and Society, 20(6), pp. 824-835. (doi: 10.1080/14660970.2018.1425682)
Zimmermann, M., Bunn, C. , Namadingo, H., Gray, C. M. and Lwanda, J. (2018) Experiences of type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. Global Health Research and Policy, 3, 25. (doi: 10.1186/s41256-018-0082-y)
White, J. T. and Bunn, C. (2017) Growing in Glasgow: Innovative practices and emerging policy pathways for urban agriculture. Land Use Policy, 68, pp. 334-344. (doi: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.07.056)
Bunn, C. , Wyke, S. , Gray, C. M. , Maclean, A. and Hunt, K. (2016) 'Coz football is what we all have': masculinities, practice, performance and effervescence in a gender-sensitised weight-loss and healthy living programme for men. Sociology of Health and Illness, 38(5), pp. 812-828. (doi: 10.1111/1467-9566.12402) (PMID:26864994) (PMCID:PMC4950300)
Bunn, C. and Wood, M. (2012) Cultured responses: the production of social capital in faith based organizations. Current Sociology, 60(5), pp. 636-652. (doi: 10.1177/0011392111425598)
Wood, M. and Bunn, C. (2009) Strategy in a religious network: a Bourdieuian critique of the sociology of spirituality. Sociology, 43(2), pp. 286-303. (doi: 10.1177/0038038508101166)
All publications
Grants
Crampin A, Nkoka O, Stewart R, Matchado A, Bunn C, Nyirenda D, Phiri N, Abdulla S, Seth-Smith J, Todd H, Amoah A. Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Award: Healthy Lives Malawi Longitudinal Population Study. Wellcome Trust. £245,520.00. 01/02/21 – 31/7/24
McIntosh E, Mmbanga B, Bunn C, Msoka E, Crampin A, Coast, J. Costed extension to NIHR Global Health Research Group on estimating the prevalence, quality and life, economic and societal impact of arthritis in Tanzania: a mixed methods study at University of Glasgow. NIHR GCRF: £499,338.00 01/04/2021-31/03/22
Hunt K, Wardle H, Critchlow N, Reith G, Purves R, Stead M, Dobbie F, Gray C, Bunn C, Donnachie C. Transitions to more harmful forms of gambling during Covid-19 pandemic: behaviours and targeted marketing in young people and bettors on sport. ESRC: £580,485. 1/6/20 – 30/11/21
McGee D, Bunn C, Reith G, Udedi M, Yendork J, Franklin G. Leisure or Livelihoods? A Participatory Study of Youth Perspectives on Gambling and its Social, Economic and Health Impacts in Ghana and Malawi. British Academy: £299,189. 20/03/2020 – 20/9/22
Mair F, Jani B, Bunn C, Prentice A, Seeley J, Crampin A, Price A, Chapotera G, Jobe M. Multimorbidity in Africa - Increasing Understanding of the Patient Experience and Epidemiology (MAfricaEE). Medical Research Council: £199,515. 15/3/20 – 15/9/21.
Reith G, Bunn C, Wardle H, Rooksby J, Deidda M, Philpott M, Graham F, Platt N, Greenlaw N, Gray C, Hunt K, Rogers R, Wyke S. Football Fans and Betting (FFAB): a feasibility study and randomised pilot trial of a group-based intervention to reduce gambling involvement among male football fans. National Institute for Health Research: £629,765.79. 01/01/20 - 31/12/21
McIntosh E, McInnes I, Wyke S, Haydon D, Siebert S, Halliday J, Bunn C, Laurie E, Grieve E, Aitken M, Walker R, Kelly C, Mmbanga B, Kiwelu I, Msoka E, Kilonzo K, Temu G, Kiula K. NIHR Global Health Research Group on estimating the prevalence, quality and life, economic and societal impact of arthritis in Tanzania: a mixed methods study at University of Glasgow. NIHR GCRF: £1,993,935. 01/04/2018-31/03/21
Bunn C, Crampin M, Gill J, Gray C, Gunda A, Ireland R, Jangere C, Kapalula P, Kaputa J, Kumwenda B, Lwanda J, Malunga A, Mtema O, Wyke S. Co-developing a health and wellbeing programme for men who support Malawian football teams, with a focus on preventing Non-communicable diseases. SFC GCRF: £52,280. 01/10/18 – 31/3/19
Crampin M, Benson R, Bunn C, Chiwanda J, Gill J, Masiye J, Mercer S, Wyke S. Characterisation and survival of individuals with multimorbidity in rural and urban Malawi. SFC GCRF: £58,537. 01/10/18 – 31/3/19
Crampin M, Bunn C, Chiwanda J, Masiye J. Non-communicable Disease Longitudinal data Alliance (ANDLA); Administrative support during transition to sustainable network. SFC GCRF: £17,436. 01/10/18 – 31/3/19
Strachan Z, Bunn C, Crampin M, Gray C, Mtenga S, Perry M, Todd H. Building capacity to use arts-based methods for non-communicable disease prevention in Malawi and Tanzania. SFC GCRF: £14,888. 01/10/18 – 31/1/19
Rooksby J, Cecchinato M, Bunn C, Philpott M, Asadzadeh P. Get a move on: matchday pedometer. EPSRC: £ 47,080. 01/8/18 – 31/3/19
Gill J, Gray CM, Gray S, Garside P, McInnes I, Edwards C, Bunn C, Crampin A, Nyirenda M, Mwapasa V. Development of nutritional strategies for diabetes prevention in Malawian adults at high diabetes risk. MRC GCRF: £199,905. 1/3/18 – 28/2/19
Gray CM, Bunn C, Perry M, Gill J, Gray S, Sharp J, Strachan Z, Crampin A, Mtenga S, Namadingo H, Abdullah S, Dilip Dingh A, Lwanda J. Culture and bodies: an interdisciplinary approach to non-communicable disease prevention in Malawi and Tanzania. MRC/AHRC GCRF: £176,425. 1/3/18 – 31/7/19
Gill J, Gray CM, McIntosh E, Pell J, Mutrie N, Sattar N, Wyke S, Logue J, Welsh P, Gray S, Kelly P, Bunn C, Baker G, Celis-Morales C. How can we increase the number of people cycling regularly? British Cycling: £150,000. 01/3/18 – 28/2/19
Wyke S, Bunn C, Gray C, Hunt K, Barnighausen T, Micklesfield L, Draper C. Health through Faith: can faith-based organisations support weight management and reduce the risk of NCDs in South Africa? MRC PHIND: £149,973. 01/07/16 – 31/12/17
Gray C, Hunt K, Wyke S, Bunn C, Maclean A, Mutrie N, Anderson A, McConnachie A, McCowan C, Lloyd S, Singh B. Long term weight loss trajectories in participants in a randomised controlled trial of a weight management and healthy lifestyle programme for men delivered through professional football clubs: the Football Fans in Training follow up. National Institute for Health Research: £267,198; 01/01/15 - 01/01/16
Gray C, Wyke S, Hunt K, Bunn C, Maclean A. Football Fans in Training (FFIT): development of FFIT Training Package and FFIT for Women programme. University of Glasgow Knowledge Exchange Fund: £40,711; 7/4/14 - 7/10/14
White J and Bunn C. Healthy design? Understanding the edible city of Glasgow’s Southside. Adam Smith Research Foundation (ASRF): £1,500; 01/01/14 – 31/12/14
Simmons D, Bunn C, Birch K and Graffy J. Translating diabetes peer support research from the RAPSID pilot study into local patient peer support activity. Diabetes UK Small Grant Award: £15,000; 01/02/12 – 01/02/13
Bunn C. Internal Graduate Studentship: PhD, Trinity College (Fees, Stipend and Research Expenses) 2006-2010
Bunn C. Internal Graduate Studentship: MPhil, Trinity College (Fees, Stipend and Research Expenses) 2005-06
Supervision
- Bissett, Maria
Development of a transcultural arts-based participatory approach to exploring the drivers of noncommunicable diseases among Black communities in Scotland and Malawi. - Seetangkham, Sansanee
Self-management among elderly people with chronic diseases
Teaching
Chris convenes an Honours-level course on the Sociology of Health and Illness and a postgraduate course Introduction to Social Theory for Researchers
He supervises PGT dissterations on the Global Health MSc/MRes, as well as a the range of Master's courses offered in the Sociology subject area.