Anna Rastas

Anna Rastas is a University Lecturer and Adjunct Professor at Tampere University, with additional roles as an Adjunct Professor of European Ethnology at the University of Helsinki. She holds a Doctorate in Social Sciences and has extensive experience in academia, including roles as an Academy Research Fellow (2015–2020) and Senior Research Fellow. Her work focuses on racism, anti-racism, diaspora studies, and decolonial approaches in museums and cultural heritage. She has conducted fieldwork globally, including in Europe, the U.S., and Africa, and has led projects such as the Rethinking Diasporas initiative funded by the Academy of Finland. Rastas is also an anti-racism activist, providing training to institutions and NGOs. She has authored or edited multiple books, including From Margins to Museums and Kaikille lapsille, and her research emphasizes collaborative and action-oriented methodologies.

Her academic career spans over two decades, including visiting scholar positions at the University of Amsterdam and UC Davis. She has organized conferences like the 6th Afroeuropeans Conference (2017) and co-convened panels on museums and anti-racism at SIEF2021. Rastas’s research often intersects with policy and public engagement, aiming to challenge systemic racism and promote inclusive cultural practices. Her current projects explore museums as spaces for anti-racism and the representation of African diasporas in European institutions.