Constance Classen

Constance Classen is a prominent academic and one of the founders of sensory studies, affiliated with Concordia University. Her work focuses on the intersection of senses, culture, and art. She has authored influential books including The Museum of the Senses (2017), The Deepest Sense: A Cultural History of Touch (2012), and co-authored Ways of Sensing: Understanding the Senses in Society (2014). She also edited The Book of Touch (2020) and the six-volume Cultural History of the Senses (2014). Her research has been widely translated and recognized for its innovative contributions. Recently, she contributed to an SSHRC-funded project exploring sensory design from critical and cross-cultural angles.

Classen’s interdisciplinary approach bridges anthropology, art history, and cultural studies. Her work emphasizes how sensory experiences shape human understanding across cultures and historical contexts. She collaborates internationally, fostering dialogue between academia and public engagement through museums and digital platforms.