Caroline Humphrey

Caroline Humphrey is a Professor at the Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge. Her career spans roles such as Rausing Professorship of Collaborative Anthropology (2006–2010), University Professor of Asian Anthropology (1998–2006), and University Reader in Asian Anthropology (1995–1998). She has contributed extensively to social anthropology, focusing on post-socialist societies, ritual studies, and cultural memory.

• B.A. Social Anthropology, 1965, Girton College, Cambridge
• M.A. in Mongolian Studies, 1971, University of Cambridge
• Ph.D. in Social Anthropology, 1973, University of Cambridge

Humphrey's research bridges politics of memory and inequality, with fieldwork in Siberia, Mongolia, and post-Soviet Russia. Her work explores ritualization of power, barter economies, and property transformations in global contexts. Articles highlight themes like urbanization, historical analogies, and shamanic practices.

Her scientific accolades include the 1990 J. I. Staley Prize, 2002 The Heldt Prize, and 2008 Henry Allen Poe Prize. She has served on editorial boards for journals like History and Anthropology and Inner Asia, and advisory panels including the MacArthur Project in Inner Asia.