معرفی
Brent E. Metz is Professor of Anthropology in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Kansas, where he also serves as Director of the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies. His academic career spans over two decades with a focus on indigenous communities in Central America, particularly the Ch'orti' Maya.
Education:
- Ph.D., SUNY Albany, NY, 1995
- Anthropology, University of Michigan, 1989
- Spanish and Anthropology, Western Michigan University Honors College, 1986
Professor Metz's research centers on indigeneity, cultural change, and development among the Ch'orti' Maya of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. His work explores how indigenous identity is negotiated within national contexts, examining issues of power, representation, and collective memory. He has conducted extensive fieldwork since 1990, documenting changing quality of life and political participation among subsistence farmers in the region. His research increasingly addresses climate change impacts in Central America's "Dry Corridor," where he participates in multidisciplinary teams studying water scarcity.
Metz's publications reveal a consistent focus on indigenous identity formation, gender dynamics, and the intersection of local and global forces. His recent work shows growing engagement with applied anthropology, migration studies, and climate change adaptation. He frequently employs collaborative research methods that engage community members as partners rather than subjects.
Awards:
- Woodyard International Educator Award, 2017
As an educator, Metz has designed and taught 22 different courses across five institutions, including popular offerings like Indigenous Traditions of Latin America and Mexamerica. He emphasizes connecting course material to students' everyday decisions and has pioneered service-learning components, particularly through partnerships with the Lawrence Centro Hispano. Since 2011, he has led multidisciplinary field schools among the Ch'orti' Maya, integrating research with community service projects related to tourism, water systems, and cultural documentation.
Metz co-founded Engineers Without Borders – Sunflower Professional Chapter to implement sustainable development among Ch'orti' communities and has served on multiple boards including the Lawrence Centro Hispano (2006-2012). His commitment to integrating teaching, research, and service learning demonstrates his holistic approach to anthropology as both scholarly pursuit and practical engagement.
