Andrew Littlejohn

Dr. Andrew Littlejohn is an Assistant Professor at Leiden University’s Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, affiliated with the Social and Behavioural Sciences faculty. His research focuses on political ecology, environmental anthropology, and ethnographic media practices, particularly sonic ethnography and the anthropology of Japan. He holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard University (2017), an M.Phil. in Cultural Anthropology from Oxford University, and a B.A. in Japanese from SOAS, University of London.

His work explores disaster heritage, post-tsunami reconstruction in Japan, and the intersection of sustainability with political-economic systems. Notable projects include a book on Japan’s 2011 tsunami aftermath, funded by the Japan Foundation, and experimental audiovisual media on disaster’s non-discursive dimensions. He has received grants such as the ERC Starting Grant (2024) and the Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021).

• Teaching: Cultural Anthropology, Urban Studies, Ethnographic Media
• Media Contributions: Podcasts on disaster heritage (e.g., Beyond Japan), documentaries, and public lectures

Key research themes include the governance of disaster ruins, intangible heritage loss, and the role of museums in post-disaster identity reconstruction. His creative works blend academic research with experimental sound art, presented globally.