Jamie E. Shenton

Jamie E. Shenton is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Centre College, affiliated with the Department of Anthropology / Sociology, and actively involved in the Gender Studies and Social Justice Studies programs. Her academic work bridges cultural anthropology with contemporary social issues, particularly in gender, sexuality, and Latin American cultures.

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, Vanderbilt University, 2014
• Certificate in Latin American Studies, Vanderbilt University, 2012
• M.A. in Anthropology, Vanderbilt University, 2010
• B.A. in Anthropology/Sociology and Spanish, Centre College, 2006

Her research centers on medical anthropology, gender and sexuality, body image, and social change, with regional expertise in Latin America and growing focus on U.S. contexts. She employs ethnographic methods to explore topics such as queer+ youth, parenting politics, aging in assisted living, and social media discourse.

Shenton's recent publications reveal a strong trend in analyzing digital culture, public shaming, and identity politics through an anthropological lens. Her work frequently engages with media representations, from Disney’s Lightyear to Twitter debates on drag queens, highlighting cultural anxieties around queerness, innocence, and consumerism. She also contributes to feminist and Indigenous scholarship, especially regarding Kichwa women’s agency and bodily autonomy.

She was awarded the Kirk Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2021, recognizing her pedagogical impact. Her teaching includes courses on cultural anthropology, human rights, globalization, and media studies.

• Kirk Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2021

She mentors students through community-based learning and research collaborations, particularly in projects related to aging, identity, and social justice. While no specific grants are listed, her interdisciplinary publications and public scholarship in platforms like SAPIENS suggest active research funding and outreach. Her work integrates academic rigor with public engagement, aiming to make anthropology accessible and socially relevant.

Though no formal lab or research team is mentioned, her collaborative publications and community-based classes indicate engagement with student researchers and interdisciplinary networks. Her ongoing projects suggest a dynamic research program focused on contemporary cultural dynamics in both digital and lived spaces.