Faris Khan

Dr. Faris Khan is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at SUNY Potsdam’s School of Arts & Sciences. He specializes in digital anthropology, cultural anthropology, and gender studies, with a focus on transgender rights in Pakistan. Since joining SUNY Potsdam in 2017, he has established a digital anthropology studio equipped with media production tools, launched an internship program, and created the anthropology film festival. His teaching emphasizes experiential learning, blending lectures with interactive activities to challenge students’ assumptions about global cultures.

His research explores the khwaja sira community in Pakistan, focusing on their activism, gender non-conformity, and engagement with media technologies. Khan’s doctoral work at Syracuse University (2011) examined transgender rights activism in Karachi, culminating in a forthcoming book. He is currently researching new media technologies used by gender minorities in South Asia.

Outside academia, Khan advocates for making anthropology accessible through digital media, including student-produced films and podcasts. He actively involves students in his research projects, fostering collaboration between faculty, students, and staff. The digital studio he founded serves as a hub for anthropological media production, emphasizing hands-on learning and public engagement.