Suzanne Seriff

Suzanne Seriff is a Senior Lecturer in Anthropology and faculty associate of the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and is an award-winning educator, museum curator, and innovator in the academic, museum, and community arts worlds.

• Education: Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Seriff is renowned for her interactive, community-engaged exhibitions and contributions to public culture. Her research focuses on:

• Museum representation and participatory spaces
• Public folklore and folklife
• Jewish museums, material culture, and civil rights
• Folk arts as catalysts for social change
• Global perspectives on cultural heritage and ethics

She designed and directs an arts and social justice internship program, engaging students in service learning with local nonprofits, and received the Experiential Learning grant in 2019. Her work with the Gallery of Conscience at the Museum of International Folk Art (2010-2017) emphasizes social justice themes like immigration and human rights.

• Scientific Awards: President's Award in Global Learning

Seriff’s courses span anthropology, Jewish studies, and museum studies, including American Jewish Material Culture, Cultural Heritage On Display, and Immigrants As Aliens, often cross-listed across departments. Her teaching integrates pop-up exhibits, oral history interviews, and digital storytelling to foster critical thinking and community collaboration.