Carla Martin

Carla Martin is a Lecturer in the Department of African and African American Studies at Harvard University and Founder/Director of the Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute (FCCI). Her work bridges social anthropology, ethnomusicology, and critical food studies.

• PhD in African and African American Studies (2012)
• MA in Social Anthropology (2007)
• BA in Social Anthropology (2003)

Research focuses on:

• Global cacao/chocolate ethics and supply chain politics
• Cape Verdean language inequality and diaspora dynamics
• Creole cultural production and postcolonial identity
• Intersection of agronomy, history, and linguistics

Selected publications address Cape Verdean music, chocolate's colonial history, and sensory evaluation protocols. Her 2016 articles examine Creole cultural planning and cacao politics, while 2015 work analyzes European chocolate consumption patterns. Earlier writings (2010-2012) cover Cesária Évora's cultural impact and chocolate's historical evolution.

Teaching awards recognize her pedagogical excellence in African Studies and critical food studies. Current projects include Bittersweet Notes blog and FCCI's cacao grading system development with Equal Exchange, TCHO, and Yellow Seed.

She actively contributes to organizations through:

• Editorial Board of Transition Magazine
• Chocolate Committee for Good Food Awards