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Michael W. Scott is a Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). His primary research focuses on Oceania, particularly Melanesia, with a theoretical emphasis on anthropological ontology, cosmology, and wonder studies. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in the Solomon Islands since 1992, focusing on the Arosi people and their poly-ontological cosmology. His work explores human-nonhuman relations, indigenous Christianities, and the interplay between Euro-American and Melanesian ontological frameworks. Education: PhD from the University of Chicago, influenced by mentors like Marshall Sahlins and Marilyn Strathern. He co-organizes the Melanesia Research Seminar at the British Museum. His major publication, The Severed Snake , examines Arosi matrilineages and place-making. Current projects include a comparative study of wonder as an ontological instrument and analysis of relationalist assumptions in ontology debates. Key interests include poly-ontology, ontological transformation, and the re-enchantment of modernity. His research challenges monolithic views of Melanesian sociality, proposing instead a nuanced engagement with diverse cosmological frameworks. Though no formal grants or labs are explicitly listed, his work intersects with LSE's broader anthropological research initiatives.

• Oceania
• Melanesia
• Anthropological Ontology
• +7 more

Dr. John Hails is a Senior Lecturer and Reader in Music at Edinburgh Napier University , where he teaches aesthetics, music psychology, composition, and ethnomusicology. He holds a PhD in Music from Durham University (2008) and has trained under notable composers like Brian Ferneyhough and Richard Barrett. His research focuses on experimental composition, marginal musical practices, and interdisciplinary aesthetics. Educations: Bachelor’s and Master’s training at Durham University and University of Huddersfield PhD by Portfolio of Compositions (Durham University, 2008) Research Interests: John’s work explores unorthodox intonations, fixed media installations, and the intersection of composition with philosophy and ethnomusicology. He actively presents at international conferences on topics like post-structuralist critiques in music education and communal performance practices. Notable Works: His compositions have been performed by ensembles like the London Sinfonietta and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Key pieces include enlightenment (microtonal trumpet and media) and Nine for ones in nine , reflecting his experimental approach. Awards & Grants: While no explicit awards are listed, his research is funded by Edinburgh Napier University. He is a core member of the Applied Music Research Centre . Supervision & Grants: He has supervised over 15 postgraduate projects, including PhDs on topics like Musical Cultures of Melanesia and Dialogical Music Systems . His supervisory roles span composition, ethnomusicology, and interdisciplinary studies. Labs/Teams: Active in the Applied Music Research Centre , focusing on creative practice and experimental music dissemination.

• Music Composition
• Ethnomusicology
• Music Psychology
• +3 more

Joel Robbins is the Sigrid Rausing Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge, specializing in the anthropology of religion, ethics, and cultural change. His work centers on Christian communities, value theory, and moral transformations across Melanesia and global contexts. His research interests focus on the anthropology of Christianity , particularly Pentecostal and charismatic movements, exploring how religious conversion reshapes ethical frameworks and cultural values. Key themes include Christian individualism , moral revolutions , ritual theory , and the intersection of anthropology with theology . Robbins examines ethical life through comparative lenses, analyzing how communities navigate value pluralism amid cultural change. His recent publications (2020-2025) reveal sustained engagement with ethical life, value pluralism, and the anthropology of Christianity, increasingly intersecting with philosophy and theology. Works like Where Is the Good in the World? (2022) and Anthropology bright and dark (2023) analyze moral ontology across cultural contexts, while his 2024 chapter on Bellah and Tillich bridges theological and anthropological traditions. The recurring focus on Christian conversion , ritual efficacy , and moral transformation underscores his theoretical contributions to understanding value systems in flux. Robbins serves as a Fellow of Trinity College and contributes to the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Anthropology . His office is located at the Department of Social Anthropology, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RF.

• Religion
• Ethics
• Cultural Change
• +5 more

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.

• Social Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology
• Anthropological Theory
• +4 more

Dr. Ariel Greiner is an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford and Pennsylvania State University, supervised by Dr. Katrina Davis and Dr. Katriona Shea. Her interdisciplinary research applies mathematical and statistical modeling to conservation challenges, with current focus on optimizing coral reef management in Melanesia through value-of-information frameworks and socioeconomic integration. Her academic foundation includes: PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Toronto (supervised by Dr. Martin Krkošek, Dr. Marie-Josêe Fortin, and Dr. Emily Darling) Bachelor of Science from McGill University (research with Dr. Andrew Gonzalez on ecosystem functioning debts and global genetic diversity patterns) Dr. Greiner's research centers on coral reef resilience under anthropogenic pressures, employing network theory and dynamical systems to model connectivity, regime shifts, and climate impacts. Her work bridges theoretical ecology with practical conservation, emphasizing equity in scientific practice. Recent publications demonstrate methodological innovation in state-space modeling, macrogenetics, and disease epidemiology while maintaining consistent focus on coral reef sustainability. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in coral reef dynamics (73% of works), with significant contributions to disease modeling (13%) and conservation genetics (13%). Temporal trends show increasing integration of socioeconomic factors since 2021, while mathematical approaches consistently emphasize network connectivity and stability analysis across all publications. Her accolades include: Excellence in Doctoral Research Award (Canadian Society of Ecology and Evolution) Harold H. Harvey Prize for Academic Leadership NSERC Doctoral Scholarship NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship Supported by NSERC funding throughout her career, Dr. Greiner has collaborated extensively with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Fiji and Melanesia, including fieldwork surveying Fijian reefs. While no formal advisees are documented, her work demonstrates strong mentorship through collaborative publications and educational contributions like the 'Ten Simple Rules' modeling guide. Her current Melanesian reef project exemplifies her signature approach: integrating mathematical optimization with community engagement to develop context-specific conservation strategies that balance ecological resilience and human needs.

• Coral Reef Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Mathematical Ecology
• +4 more

Sam Bleakley is an Associate Lecturer in Sustainable Tourism at Falmouth University, specializing in cultural geography, surf communities, and post-conflict tourism recovery. He holds a PhD from Falmouth University/University of the Arts London (2016) and MA/BA Geography from Pembroke College, Cambridge (2004/2001). His research focuses on sustainable tourism’s role in cultural exchange, particularly in regions recovering from conflict or environmental disasters. He produces the Brilliant Corners documentary series exploring grassroots surf cultures across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Professional engagements include: World Surf League Broadcaster for World Longboard Championships Consultant for Sustainable Surf Tourism in Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and China Fellowships with Royal Geographical Society and Tourism Society Key areas of expertise include blue health, coastal sustainability, and mindfulness in tourism management. His work bridges academic research with practical initiatives through films, books (e.g., Surfing Brilliant Corners ), and educational programs.

• Sustainable Tourism
• Surf Communities
• Cultural Exchange
• +4 more

Dr. Richard A Davis is an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, where he also serves as Director of Contextual Theology and Director of the Centre for Faith in Public Life at Wesley House. His research focuses on Christian ethics, political theology, public theology, and contextual theology in the Pacific region. Previously, he was a faculty member at the Pacific Theological College in Fiji. He teaches and supervises doctoral students in areas such as reconciliation theology, climate justice, and postcolonial studies. His work often addresses intersections of faith, social justice, and decolonization in Oceania and beyond. Davis actively contributes to public theology through the Centre for Faith in Public Life, engaging with contemporary societal challenges from theological perspectives. His research interests include Pacific theology, social ethics in Melanesia, and the theological implications of climate change adaptation. He has published extensively on topics such as settler colonialism, faith-based social change, and the ethics of violence in religious contexts. Davis’ publications reflect a commitment to interdisciplinary dialogue, blending theological analysis with sociopolitical critique. While no formal awards are listed, his academic contributions are evident in his prolific publication record and his leadership in contextual theological education. He is available to supervise PhD students and maintains affiliations with the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Divinity and Wesley House.

• Christian Ethics
• Contextual Theology
• Political Theology
• +7 more

Rupert Stasch is a Professor of Social Anthropology at the Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge. He serves as Director of Postgraduate Education, Chair of the PhD Committee, and Visual Anthropology Lab Manager. As a Fellow and Director of Studies at Sidney Sussex College, he contributes to academic governance and student mentorship. Research focuses on representation processes, particularly visual and linguistic, in social relations. Regional expertise in Indonesia, Melanesia, and the Pacific, with fieldwork on Korowai culture and state formation dynamics. Key projects include studies on primitivist tourism, structuralist theory, and the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Anthropology. His recent publications analyze more-than-human relations in West Papua, linguistic mediation in tourism, and structuralist frameworks. As Lab Manager, he oversees visual ethnography initiatives. He supervises PhD students and contributes to academic debates on cultural theory and ethnographic methodology.

• Sociocultural Anthropology
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Visual Anthropology
• +4 more

Tony Crook is a Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews, affiliated with the Centre for the Critical Reimagining of Human Rights and the Centre for Pacific Studies within the School of Philosophical, Anthropological & Film Studies. Education: PhD, University of Cambridge Research Interests: Dr. Crook investigates knowledge practices, secrecy, ritual, horticulture, mining, and climate change with regional expertise in Papua New Guinea, Oceania, Amazonia, and Melanesia. His work critically examines crisis temporality, colonial legacies, and gender inequality through ethnographic lenses, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals on climate action and gender equality. Publication Trends: His 2018-2024 publications reveal a concentrated focus on ethnographic responses to environmental crises, particularly exploring climate cultures in Pacific Island nations and Amazonian/Melanesian temporal frameworks. Key themes include ritual knowledge systems in mining/horticulture, film-based gender equality interventions, and cultural reinterpretations of environmental movements like Gaia theory. Grants and Projects: Dr. Crook secured major funding including: Pacific Connections: Community Film-making & Gender Inequality (Scottish Funding Council, 2019) Participatory Film-Making for Gender Equality (AHRC, 2017-2018) CC4M Mining Co-Creation Project (European Commission, 2017-2020) EU DEVCO ECOPAS Gender Project (European Commission, 2015-2016) RSE European Visiting Fellowship (2014-2015) Supervision and Impact: He has supervised 5 research students and organized Pacific-focused filmmaking workshops. His "Pacific Connections" project generated measurable cultural impact through EU policy engagement, documented by social media reach (2 X posts, 1 Facebook page) and academic dissemination (7 Mendeley readers).

• Knowledge practices
• secrecy
• ritual
• +9 more

Mei-Li Roberts is a Lecturer at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Perth, specializing in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of health, sociology, and cultural anthropology. Her work focuses on youth health behaviors, family dynamics around food/eating practices, and the socio-cultural impacts of missionary activities in Melanesia. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of St Andrews (2006) and a Master of Arts in English Language/Literature and Social Anthropology (1999). Her research has contributed to UN SDGs related to Education and Good Health. Key research areas include: Child/teenager health perceptions and practices Socioeconomic influences on dietary behavior Missionary translation practices and cultural identity Her publications (2006-2012) explore topics like fast food consumption among youth, school-based health research challenges, and Highland Melanesian ethnography. Notable works include analyses of food as a class distinction marker and the complex ethics of obesity research in educational settings. Media engagement includes contributions to UHI's Child and Youth Studies program development and staff recognition initiatives.

• Child and Family Health
• Teenager Psychology
• Health Psychology
• +3 more