What initially drew you to the field of anthropology?
I was a music performance major at Washington State University (WSU), but through coursework, I became much more interested in the field of ethnomusicology—generally, the study of music, usually non-Western, as a cultural product—and shifted my interests to becoming a scholar. After graduating the first time from WSU with a B.A. in Music, I re-enrolled for a fifth year and completed a second B.A. in Anthropology, trying to bolster my credentials for graduate school applications in ethnomusicology. When that didn’t work out, I thought that gaining some cultural experience by living abroad might help, so I joined the Peace Corps and served in Kenya. While in Kenya, I came to realize that what I had really found so interesting about ethnomusicology was more the people producing music than the music itself, completing the transition from musician to anthropologist.
Why did you choose MSU for your PhD program?
While serving in Kenya, I applied to as many programs as I could, since I qualified for hardship conditions, which resulted in most of my application fees being waived. I was accepted to three, but MSU was—and still is—the leader in Africanist studies, so the opportunities for me to find broad support here were numerous. When I arrived, our department had several Africanist scholars on faculty and across the university, there were many people conducting research in Kenya specifically. Finally, I knew that by coming to MSU, I could take advantage of the university’s Swahili language instruction offerings, which also led to me being funded with a Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship for my first few years here.
Can you briefly describe your dissertation defense research and what inspired you to pursue this topic?
My dissertation explores intersectional identities among individuals who work in or are studying to join Kenya’s tech sector. I am interested in exploring how multiple aspects of people’s identities shapes their access to and participation within the sector, including their interactions with colleagues, superiors, students and others. I also investigated how—and why—certain identities may be over- or underrepresented within the sector.
I turned to this topic after completing my Peace Corps service in Kenya, where I developed a deep interested in the country and its people. I also have extensive experience in web development and programming, which provides a behavioral connection to Kenyans working in the tech sector.
What are the next steps for your regarding your career?
I am currently looking for positions at universities around the country, at any social science research positions within state or local governments, and at any non-profits offering similar opportunities. For non-profits, I am particularly interested in positions with a focus on international development.
What initially drew you to the field of anthropology and what you love about the field?
I have an interdisciplinary background in art, sustainability, and cultural studies, so I love that there are no limits to what can be understood through an anthropological lens. My undergraduate degree was in studio art, and my art history courses illustrated that artmaking does not occur in a vacuum—artists are both influenced by culture and contribute to shaping it in societies around the world. I wanted to explore the intersections of art and culture and felt that anthropology would be a powerful way to investigate the contexts in which artists make work, and especially how and why they make aesthetic and conceptual choices. As an artist involved in environmental advocacy, anthropology has allowed me to make sense of the ways in which other artists advocate for the places, people, and animals they care about—and the positive impact they can make in the world.
Can you briefly describe your dissertation defense research and what inspired you to pursue this topic?
My dissertation research focused on artists involved in environmental activism in Thailand who use their creative practices to raise awareness, build solidarity, and advocate for social-environmental justice in their communities. Strict regulations and harsh punishments for critiquing the Thai state are designed to silence dissent, but a wide range of artists have found ways to protest through visual formats that encode messages that inspire other citizens to join justice movements.
While my Master’s research focused on environmental education and artwork related to elephant conservation in Thailand, Dr. Drexler encouraged me to use my Ph.D. fieldwork as a way to expand my focus to environmental artwork addressing a broader range of topics, This shift was beneficial to my own arts-based research and my desire to collaborate with other artist-activists.
The impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and other social-ecological issues are both locally-specific and globally relevant. What happens in our own backyards is also happening around the world, and we have so much to learn about the successes and failures of environmental activists and communities who address these problems. Working with inspiring individuals in Thailand reminded me how important it is to engage in protest, and I am proud that my research allowed me to shine a light on these artists’ work.
It can be overwhelming to witness and experience so many injustices and feel powerless in a neoliberal, late-capitalist world, but we have to resist feelings of apathy and advocate for change. Anthropology helps us uncover the roots of these injustices while also demonstrates the power humans have to imagine new solutions. I hope my dissertation research expands upon the rich scholarship on activism that can be operationalized across cultures.
Why did you choose MSU for your PhD program?
Though I started by looking at the faculty profiles on the MSU Anthropology website and reviewing their grants and publications, I also explored the graduate student profiles and was impressed by their research topics, the internal and external funding they had received, their TA/RA positions, and the ways the department supported their work. All of this made MSU’s Anthropology Ph.D. program seem like an excellent fit.
MSU also stood out to me because of the wide range of resources on campus that would complement my anthropological research, including the Center for Gender in Global Contexts’ specialization in Gender, Justice, and Environmental Change; the language training offered by the Asian Studies Center; the Center for Community Engaged Learning; and the Human-Animal Studies specialization in the Sociology Department.
I was working in Cambodia when I applied to Ph.D. programs, and I remember my first Zoom meeting with Dr. Drexler, whom I was interested in working with because of her expertise in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, particularly in activism and justice movements. It can be intimidating to reach out to potential advisors who are so accomplished in their fields, but I instantly clicked with Dr. Drexler. She was excited about my prior art and environmental training, and I felt I could learn from her and that she would challenge and encourage me in new ways.
With the 12-hour time difference between Michigan and Cambodia, I received my acceptance letter in the middle of the night—and probably screamed loud enough to wake up my neighbors when the email arrived.
Favorite memory during your time at MSU?
My favorite memories took place in Thailand and Peru with cohort member, Emily Milton. While I was living in Thailand for my dissertation fieldwork, Emily stayed with me for a month in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. I had the chance to show her the elephant sanctuary I had been working with—Elephant Nature Park—and introduce her to their herd of over 100 elephants. I also brought her to various galleries and museums that were part of my research.
With a jam-packed schedule of art events to attend and interviews with artists and curators, I didn’t have much time to explore Thailand beyond my work. Still, we managed to take a short vacation to the beaches of Thailand in Phuket and Krabi.
A year later, I joined Emily in Peru, where I visited her fieldsites and helped with her water sampling project. Seeing what archeologists do—as opposed to cultural anthropologists’ ethnographic methods—really clarified the work they engage in, especially experiencing Emily’s work at an elevation of 13,000 feet in the Andes Mountains.
Like Thailand, Peru has a rich history of textile traditions. On our off-days, it was fascinating to visit weaving museums and shops. Imagery in weavings often tell stories about human-environment relationships, and after engaging in research with weavers in Thailand, I was exciting to learn about Peruvian textiles. I bought several pieces in Peru and later brought them to Thailand to show the weavers I had worked with. They loved seeing patterns and symbols that looked like their own depictions of plants and animals.
What are the next steps for you regarding your career?
After graduating, I have been able to transition to being a full-time artist and set up my weaving studio. I was awarded a grant by the city of Raleigh and am currently working on a commission of four large-scale weavings to be installed at a community center there. I also have several other exhibits and curatorial projects in progress, including an upcoming exhibit of Mekong-based artists at the MSU Broad Art Museum.
I currently split my time between the United States and Thailand, and my fieldwork helped me build connections that have led to additional opportunities in Southeast Asia. I’m fortunate to have an upcoming solo exhibit in Penang, Malaysia this August, and I will be an artist-in-residence at the Jim Thompson Art Center in Korat, Thailand this December.
During my research in Thailand, I co-founded an art collective with a group of artist-activists who also focus on environmental issues. We continue to collaborate on research and art-making, facilitate community programming, and exhibit our work together. The relationships I built during my fieldwork will be lifelong, and I look forward to applying for grants that will allow me to further develop arts-based research in Southeast Asia—including a project that Dr. Drexler and I hope to initiate in Indonesia in the future.
Though my decision to work outside of academia is a bit unconventional, I wouldn’t be able to achieve my career goals without my anthropological training, which demonstrates the alternative ways anthropologists can operationalize our expertise.
What initially drew you to the field of anthropology?
Pursuing an undergraduate joint degree in sociology/anthropology in a university in Pakistan changed the way I viewed and understood the world. What attracted me to anthropology was the vastness of the discipline—the range of questions it allows one to ask. Its philosophical rigor, its ability to ground scientific inquiry, and the space it provides for artistic experimentation, such as writing, drew me to anthropology more than any other social science discipline.
Can you briefly describe your dissertation defense research and what inspired you to pursue this topic?
My dissertation research examines global transnational migration from Pakistan. It unravels how global migration in the contemporary era shapes local culture and global outlooks for people in South Asia, and how local values and belief systems facilitate and come into tension with the demands of an imperial global neoliberal world order. My research illustrates how globalization and international migration from Pakistan both shape and are shaped by the way people in urban Pakistan engage in transnational kinship. I was inspired to pursue this topic due to my own experiences as a transnational migrant, and the experiences of other contemporary transnational migrants from Pakistan who now form global diasporic communities.
Why did you choose MSU for your PhD program?
I chose MSU because it was a good fit for my research interests in transnational migration. The Department of Anthropology at MSU, in particular, has faculty that specialize in transnational and migration studies. I was fortunate to be mentored by Dr. Chantal Tetreault, who studies the language practices of Muslim youth in France, and by Dr. Andrea Louie, who studies transnational migration and diasporic communities from China.
What are the next steps for your regarding your career?
I wish to continue teaching, researching, and writing about anthropology, transnational migration and diasporic communities, globalization, and South Asia. I would like to build my teaching portfolio and work towards publishing my research in a journal—eventually, I hope to develop it into a book.
What initially drew you to the field of anthropology and what you love about the field?
I was initially drawn to biological anthropology because of its holistic approach to studying people. As an undergraduate, a course in osteology introduced me to forensic anthropology—and I was hooked. I ultimately chose a career in forensic anthropology because of its direct impact to local communities through modern forensic casework.
Can you briefly describe your dissertation defense research and what inspired you to pursue this topic?
My dissertation research focused on sample and selection bias in studies using documented skeletal collections. I’ve always been interested in validation research, which is essential to forensic science, as valid methods are required for courtroom testimony. This topic appealed to me because it allowed me to take a step back and critically evaluate not just individual forensic anthropology methods, but the broader processes by which we develop and validate them.
Why did you choose MSU for your PhD program?
I chose MSU primarily for the opportunity to work with my advisor, Dr. Joe Hefner, a respected researcher and mentor in the field. MSU also stood out for its unique resources and support for graduate students. During my time here, I’ve been fortunate to work with MSU Forensic Anthropology Lab, Campus Archaeology Program, and the Cultural Heritage Initiative. These diverse experiences have been instrumental in shaping my development as both an anthropologist and scholar.
Favorite memory during your time at MSU?
One of my favorite memories at MSU was working in the MSU Forensic Anthropology Laboratory. This hands-on casework was what initially drew me to the field, so having the opportunity to contribute was incredibly rewarding. I learned so much from Dr. Isaac and Dr. Hefner during that time, and the experience reaffirmed my passionate for pursuing a career in forensic anthropology.
Can you describe your new role, what you are looking forward to in this position and any plans/career goals for the future?
I’ve accepted a position as an Assistant Professor in Forensic Anthropology at Western Carolina University. In this role, I’ll be teaching undergraduate students, continuing my research, and collaborating with faculty on forensic casework, short courses, and research projects. I’m especially excited about mentoring students and contributing to WCU’s well-regarded forensic anthropology program. Looking ahead, one of my long-term professional goals is to obtain board certification in forensic anthropology.
Juan Carlos Rico Noguera, Ph.D. riconogu@msu.edu
What initially drew you to the field of anthropology and what you love about the field?
I’ve always been attracted to studying humans, our shared history, and our changes across time and space. My bachelor’s degree is in political science, and I loved what I learned from that discipline. However, I paid more attention than most of my colleagues to how politics were affected by “the ordinary” or by what anthropologists label as “culture.” Since I had a strong interest in the role culture played in the determination of politics—as well as in the expressions of politics that exceed formal political processes—I thought I could use some anthropological training.
After finishing my Ph.D. degree, I can say I was not wrong! Cultural anthropology is a holistic field that enables you to question politics in a way I could never find in political science. Like anthropologists love to say, we learn to make of the strange something familiar and the familiar strange. Learning to do that allows you to interrogate political processes in original and productive ways. I sincerely believe that in the times of profound political polarization worldwide, the anthropological tradition of studying culture and its historically bounded uniqueness holds the promises not only of explaining many sources of conflict and distress, but also of finding ways to come together and coexist in our differences.
Can you briefly describe your dissertation defense research and what inspired you to pursue this topic?
My dissertation research explored an uncommon intellectual pursuit in Colombia with profound political implications for Latin America: the opening, the functioning, and the products of a historical memory research group within the Colombian National Police. As everyone knows, the police are institutions that uses physical force—or violence—to uphold and enforce the law. As many social and cultural analysts also know, the police often enforce the law in ways that challenge the law and human dignity. But not many know that the police institutions remember in very particular ways and that, under unique circumstances, they can even create a historical memory research group! My dissertation examined how the Colombian police memorialize their past, paying special attention to how that effort is profoundly connected to the Latin American’s political transitions to liberal democratic regimes.
I became fascinated with this topic when I discovered the Colombian police were “writing history.” It was very unusual—and deeply problematic. The police chose to write about national history at a time when what was expected of them was accountability for human rights violations. For me, studying the police’s memorialization of the past was an opportunity to better understand Colombia’s complex history of violence and conflict—and also a chance to imagine new routes to “peace,” a profoundly important word in countries where political violence is so appalling. I love to say that studying the Colombian police’s memorialization of the past through ethnographic methods turned out to be both what I expected and a window into a universe of experiences I had been unaware of. Institutions like the police should be more relevant for social scientists in general—especially for those who think of their work not only in terms of their academic productivity. Working more closely with the police—in terms of proximity, not allegiance—could foster positive socio-political change for many communities.
Why did you choose MSU for your Ph.D. program?
Is it wrong if I start by saying the lakes first attracted me? I’m an international student, and when I decided I wanted to study abroad, I didn’t know much about the United States education system. I knew which universities were considered prestigious, who the big-name professors were, and how challenging it would be to get accepted. I also knew studying in the United States was a great opportunity for many reasons.
But choosing a university to attend in the United States as a foreigner can be baffling—there are hundreds of great schools! So, my method was to look for places that felt completely different from Colombia, where I could truly feel like I was somewhere else. Being surrounded by three oceans of fresh water and enduring six to seven months of unbearable cold met my criteria for “somewhere else.” I chose well. I developed a love relationship with Michigan.
When I was accepted to MSU, I felt like the luckiest guy on Earth. It was a great school, and the Department of Anthropology happened to have an outstanding scholar—Dr. Drexler—who specialized in the politics of political transitions and was willing to work with me. Much of my appreciation for MSU came through discovery, as I experienced what it meant to be a Ph.D. student at a school like this. I always felt supported and cared for by both MSU and the Department of Anthropology.
There are many things I regret and life choices I would like to make again, but coming to MSU is definitely not one of them. I went green and white.
Favorite memory during your time at MSU?
My favorite memory is when I took my wife to a football game. It was the first “American thing” we did together here. We got bored very quickly, and I can’t understand why Americans love that game so much… Haven’t they watched a soccer match?
Despite all the boredom—and humiliation MSU experienced that day—I really appreciated sharing that moment with my wife. We survived four years of a long-distance relationship, so getting to share that “American thing” with her meant a lot to me.
What are the next steps for you regarding your career?
I’m moving to Colombia, where I plan to spend at least three years. I hope to continue my academic work on memory and politics in Latin America. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for comparative scholarship since starting my Ph.D, so I’m looking forward to expanding my work in that direction.
What initially drew you to the field of anthropology?
I was drawn to this field by my first anthropology and sociology classes in community college because they destroyed my preconceived perceptions about people, culture and society. While at the same time they answered and explained things that no one else could really explain to me. It made me hungry for more knowledge and to broaden my understanding of the world around me.
Can you briefly describe your dissertation defense research and what inspired you to pursue this topic?
My dissertation research was on culturally competent special education programs in Tribal schools. I became interested in special education because I was a former special education student myself and I have two brothers on the autism spectrum who received very different special education accommodations. My interest in Native American and Indigenous studies originally started separately. I got into this area due to personal connections to Native folks growing up, but also due to my experiences at Central Michigan University where I volunteered in the archeology lab while they were processing artifacts from the Federal Indian Boarding School in Mt. Pleasant.
Why did you choose MSU for your Ph.D. program?
I chose MSU for a few reasons, mostly because I knew that this program and my advisor would allow me to pursue the type of research I wanted to do. However, because Lansing is so close to my hometown it also allowed me to continue to help and support my family in caring for one of my brothers who is severely autistic and needed a lot of care.