Khatharya Um

Khatharya Um is Associate Dean and Associate Professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research examines the intersections of memory, diaspora, and post-conflict societies, with particular focus on Southeast Asian communities, refugee experiences, and human rights. She leads the Critical Refugee Studies initiative and holds affiliations with multiple UC research centers including Global Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, and Human Rights Center.

Education

• Chancellor's Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Berkeley
• Ph.D. in Political Science, University of California, Berkeley
• M.A. in Political Science, University of California, San Diego
• B.A. in Political Science, University of California, San Diego

Research Focus

Professor Um's scholarship investigates the political and cultural dimensions of displacement through frameworks of memory studies, transnationalism, and decolonial theory. Her work spans genocide studies, refugee policies, diaspora activism, and intergenerational trauma, with regional expertise in Cambodia and Southeast Asian American communities. Current projects examine critical refugee methodologies and second-generation identity formation.

Publications Overview

Her extensive publication record demonstrates consistent focus on refugee experiences and diasporic memory. Recent works establish theoretical foundations for Critical Refugee Studies while earlier scholarship documented Cambodian diaspora formation. Publications frequently blend oral history with political analysis, examining themes of trauma, justice, and belonging across academic disciplines including film studies, anthropology, and law.

Awards and Grants

• MacArthur Fellowship in Social Sciences
• 2019 Chancellor’s Award for Institutional Excellence
• Luce Foundation Fellowship
• UC MultiCampus Collaborative Grant
• National Science Foundation Grant
• Distinguished Achievement Award (UMass Boston)
• UNHCR Refugee Honor Roll Nomination
• Congressional recognitions

Academic Leadership

As Associate Dean, she oversees academic programs while directing the Critical Refugee Studies Collective. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on refugee/diaspora theory, Southeast Asian studies, and critical pedagogy. Her institutional service includes affiliations with Berkeley's Human Rights Center, Migration Initiative, and cross-campus research collaborations.