Anthropology

I am a cultural anthropologist whose past research has examined women’s rights and human rights in the Middle East/North Africa region, particularly Morocco, culminating in a book entitled The Moroccan Women’s Rights Movement (Syracuse University Press, 2014). I have also done research on transnational Christian communities in the Gulf region of the Middle East. Current research interests include agriculture in the United States, including a project using the life histories of my parents to explore transformations in rural Southern culture over the course of the 20th century.

Teaching is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job, and I enjoy teaching three courses that count toward the Middle East and Islamic Studies minor as well as the Anthropology major and minor. I also teach a course on food, as well as the introductory, methods, and theory courses within Anthropology.

Personally, I am an amateur ecologist, certified West Virginia Master Naturalist, and avid birder. I blog on the relationship between humans and nature at naturehumanblog.blogspot.com.