Aristoteles Barcelos Neto

Dr. Aristoteles Barcelos Neto is an Associate Professor in the Arts of the Americas at the University of East Anglia's Sainsbury Research Unit, specializing in the anthropology of South American Indigenous peoples. His research focuses on Upper Xingu Indigenous material culture, ethnographic film production, and museum collaboration. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from the University of São Paulo (2004), awarded the National Science Council prize for best dissertation. His career includes visiting fellowships at institutions like the Collège de France and University of São Paulo.

Key research interests include the anthropology of art, museology, and cultural heritage. Current projects include the British Museum-funded 'Upper Xingu Material Culture' initiative, documenting ceramics and woven artifacts through collaborative digital databases with Indigenous communities. This project aims to preserve knowledge and engage youth in cultural transmission.

He has curated exhibitions at institutions such as the Sainsbury Centre and National Museum of Ethnology (Lisbon), and produces films showcasing Indigenous practices. Notable awards include the CNPq visiting researcher grant (2007), FAPESP fellowships (2011–2012, 2016–2017), and contributions to over 40 peer-reviewed publications.

• Education:
  • B.A. Museology, Universidade Federal da Bahia (1996)
  • M.Phil. Social Anthropology, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (1999)
  • Ph.D. Social Anthropology, Universidade de São Paulo (2004)
• Grants & Projects:
  • Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (British Museum), 2020–2025
  • Gatsby Foundation Funding (2009–2016)
  • Arts and Humanities Research Council Grant (2009–2012)
• Awards:
  • National Science Council Prize for Best Ph.D. Dissertation
• Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Indigenous communities (Wauja, Kuikuro) and institutions like the Centre for Mesoamerican and Andean Studies (USP).