Karen Sykes

Karen Sykes is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Manchester and a Fellow of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (2000–present). She holds visiting positions at institutions like the Australian National University and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris. Her research focuses on moral economy, transnational kinship, and Pacific studies, particularly in Papua New Guinea and North Queensland. She has led major projects like the Domestic Moral Economy study (2011–2015) and the Planning for Later Life project (2014–present).

Education:

• PhD, Princeton University (1995)
• M.A., University of Western Ontario (1987)
• B.Soc.Sc. & B.Ed., University of Western Ontario (1983–1984)

Research Interests: Moral economy, transnational families, Pacific anthropology, anthropological theory, history of anthropology.

Grants & Collaborations:

• Domestic Moral Economy (ESRC-funded)
• Planning for Later Life (Australian Research Council)

Advising: Supervises PhD students in social reconstruction, anthropology of knowledge, and intergenerational relations. Programme Director for the Master’s in Social Anthropology.