Christopher Annear

Christopher Annear is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Chair of the Anthropology Department at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he has been a faculty member since 2011. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociocultural Anthropology from Boston University and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Hampshire College. His academic work bridges anthropology, environmental studies, and food systems, with regional expertise in Zambia, Vietnam, and transnational Africa-Asia connections.

• Ph.D., Sociocultural Anthropology, Boston University
• M.A., Sociocultural Anthropology, Boston University
• B.A., Cultural Anthropology, Hampshire College

Dr. Annear’s research focuses on the political ecology of freshwater fisheries, culinary diversity, and development narratives. He investigates how communities in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo adapt to ecological variability in fisheries, and how national and regional identities are constructed through food in Vietnam. His work also explores urban development narratives in Geneva, NY, examining how stories about the past and future shape present-day city building. His pedagogical interests include ethnographic methods and teaching food studies in international contexts.

His recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining anthropology with environmental science, urban studies, and food studies. Articles such as 'Socializing the Rain' and 'Interannual Hydroclimatic Variability' demonstrate collaboration with hydrologists, while 'Vietnamese Cuisine' and 'Cooking Up the Culinary Nation' highlight his focus on food as a lens for understanding culture, identity, and education. His work often addresses applied and community-engaged research, particularly in small urban and international settings.

• American Anthropological Association
• African Studies Association
• Food Studies Research Network
• Association of American Geographers
• Association of Concerned Africanist Scholars
• Fulbright Association
• Network for Historical Research in Zambia
• ASIANetwork

Dr. Annear has been actively involved in community-based research and service, including serving on the Food Security Task Force in Geneva, NY, consulting for Bikes for the World in Barbados, and reviewing for the Department of Defense’s Minerva Research Initiative. He collaborates with colleagues across disciplines, including sociology and entrepreneurial studies, on projects related to community innovation and development narratives. His teaching includes courses on cultural anthropology, African studies, food, and research methods, and he mentors students in fieldwork and research. He maintains regular office hours and is accessible to students via in-person and Zoom appointments.