معرفی
Alida Metcalf is the Harris Masterson, Jr. Professor of History at Rice University, specializing in Brazilian and Atlantic World history. She leads the Dual Degree PhD program between Rice and Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil. Her research explores Rio de Janeiro’s urban evolution, colonial water infrastructure, and the role of go-betweens in early modern Brazil. She co-directs the imagineRio digital humanities project, mapping Rio’s social and urban history from 1500 to present.
- Education: PhD, University of Texas at Austin; BA, Smith College
Her research interests include colonial family structures, cartography, and digital humanities. Recent projects focus on Rio’s water infrastructure and Atlantic World mapping. She is the author of four books, including Mapping an Atlantic World (2020) and Family and Frontier in Colonial Brazil (1992, translated 2024). Her work bridges historical scholarship with innovative digital tools like ESRI StoryMaps.
Current research investigates colonial water systems in Rio, emphasizing their legacy in urban development. Grants and collaborations include partnerships with Brazil’s academic institutions and digital platforms. She teaches courses on water and cities, and mapping in global history.
